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College  1766-1773 


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LIBRARY 

OF    THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


Cla&s 


GLIMPSES 

OF 

COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

and  the  Life  at 

PRINCETON 
COLLEGE 

1766-1773 


By  W.  Jay  Mills 

THROUGH  THE  GATES  OF 
OLD  ROMANCE 

True  romances  of  American  life  in  the 
original  Colonies  North  and  South,  and 
during  the  early  days  of  the  Republic. 
Charming  stories  of  love  and  adventure 
told  in  Mr.  Mills' s  happiest  vein.  With 
many  illustrations  from  drawings  by  John 
Rae,  and  from  rare  prints. 

I2mt.     Decorated  cloth,  $f.jTO,  net 

HISTORIC    HOUSES    OF 
NEW  JERSEY 

This  handsome  volume,  the  only  one  on 
the  subject,  describes  the  most  interesting 
and  important  historic  residences  in  a  State 
rich  in  memories  of  the  past.  The  valuable 
and  hitherto  unpublished  material  it  con 
tains  renders  it  a  book  of  national  interest. 
With  nineteen  photogravure  illustrations 
by  John  Rae,  and  from  photographs  and 
prints. 

8vo.      Decorated  cover,  $5.00,  net 


WILLIAM     PATERSON 
Governor  of  New  Jersey 

By  Mrs.  B.  S.  Church,  from  an  earlier  picture  in  the 
possession  of  Miss   Emily   K.  Paterson 


GLIMPSES    of 

COLONIAL 
SOCIETY 


AND  THE  LIFE  AT 


Princeton  College 

1766—1773 

by    One    of   the    Class 
OF     1763 

Edited  by  W.  JAY  MILLS 

AUTHOR    or    "  HISTORIC    HOUSES    OF    NEW    JERSEY,"     "  THROUGH    THE 
GATES  OF  OLD  ROMANCE,"  ETC. 


x 

ILL  USTRATED 
j 


PHILADELPHIA   &  LONDON 
J.    B.    LIPPINCOTT     COMPANY 

MDCCCCIII 


Copyright,    Nineteen 
Hundred     and     Three 

BY  W.  JAY  MILLS 
Published  March, 


1VH3N.13 


Printed  by 

B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 
Philadelphia,  U.  S.  A. 


To 

ALL  LOVERS  OF 

PRINCETON  UNIVERSITY 

AND  ITS  ILLUSTRIOUS  PAST 
THIS  BOOK  is  DEDICATED  IN 

MEMORY  OF 
WILLIAM  PATERSON,  3* 


CONTENTS 


Page 

INTRODUCTION  i 3 

PART  I 

A  SERIES  OF  LETTERS,  GIVING  MUCH  ENTER 
TAINING  KNOWLEDGE  OF  COLONIAL  LIFE, 
WRITTEN  BY  WILLIAM  PATERSON  TO  JOHN 
MACPHERSON,  JR.,  1766-1773 

Letter         I — Contains  Pertinent  Reflections  on  the  Study 

of  Law  27 

"  II — Contains  References  to  Samuel  Greville,  a 

Philadelphia  Actor  29 

«  HI — Contains  a  Picture  of  Perfect  Friendship  31 

"  IV — Contains  a  Description  of  Jacob  Rush,  of 

Philadelphia  34 

^  V — Contains  Charming  Gossip  of  the  Times  37 

"  VI — Contains  a  Catechism  on  Lucy  Lawrance, 

of    Maidenhead,     now     Lawrenceville, 

and  Miss  Young,  of  Boston  40 

"  VII — Contains  a  Dissertation  on  the  Charms  of 

Miss  Rebecca  Redman,  of  Philadelphia  43 
««  VIII — Contains  News  of  the  College  of  New 

Jersey  47 

«'  IX — Contains  Remarks  on  the  Wedding  of 

William  Schenck  49 

7 


CONTENTS 


Letter          X — Contains  References  to  the  Kisses  of  Laura 

Lee  and  Betsey  Randolph  53 

<*  XI — Contains  more  about  Cupid  56 

"          XII — Contains  an  Account  of  Commencement 

at  Princeton  58 

"        XIII — Contains    a    Reference    to   the    Illness    of 

William  Da  vies  62 

*'        XIV — Contains  more  Gossip  of  the  Times  64 

"  XV — Contains  Musings  on  Leaving  a  Boyhood 

Home  68 

"        XVI — Contains    an    Account    of    a    Search   for 

Cunningham's  Dictionary  71 

"       XVII — Contains  Reflections  on  the  Usefulness  of 

Beaux  and  Monkies  to  Lonely  People       73 

"     XVIII — Contains  an  Account  of  Some   Visionary 

Ladies  7  7 

« '  XIX — Contains  Accounts  of  Philadelphia  Beauties 
and  a  Eulogium  on  a  Woodland 
Nymph  82 

' '          XX — Contains  a  Treatise  on  the  Value  of  Good 

Family  88 

"         XXI — Contains  Pictures  of  English  Society  and 

College  Society  91 

"  XXII — Contains  an  Imaginary  Picture  of  a  Fash 
ionable  Man  in  London  98 

"     XXIII — Contains  the  last  on  the  Subject  of  Love 

and  Miss  Rebecca  Redman  101 

8 


CONTENTS 


Page 

PART  II 

"  THE  BELLE  OF  PRINCETON,  BETSEY  STOCK 
TON.  "  A  POEM  WRITTEN  AT  NASSAU  HALL, 
1772,  BY  WILLIAM  PATERSON  109 

PART  III 

A  SATIRE  ON  BETSEY'S  COLLEGE  SUITORS.  A 
CONTINUATION  OF  "THE  BELLE  OF  PRINCE 
TON,"  BY  WILLIAM  PATERSON  119 

PART  IV 

LETTERS  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  LOVE  ("  PLA- 
TONICK  AND  SELF-LoVE*' )  TO  AARON  BURR 
AND  HENRY  LEE,  JR.  127 

PART  V 

LETTERS  BY  WILLIAM  PATERSON  TO  VARIOUS 
GENTLEMEN 

A  Letter  to  Mr.  John  Davenport,  of  Princeton  1 3  9 

A  Letter  to  Mr.  Luther  Martin,  of  Maryland  141 
A    Letter  to    the  Rev.    Theodrick    Romeyn,  of   Ulster, 

New  York  144 

A  Letter  to  Dr.  Barnet,  of  Elizabeth-Town,  New  Jersey  148 

PART  VI 

A  SENIOR'S  LETTER,  IN  1786,  TO  A  GENTLEMAN 
"  ACTING  A  SUPERIOR  PART  ON  THE  THEATRE 
OF  THE  WORLD"  153 

9 


CONTENTS 


Page 

PART  VII 

LETTERS  CONCERNING  THE  COLLEGE  FROLICS 
OF  THE  LAST  PATROON  OF  RENSSELAERSWYCK, 
AND  OTHERS 

A  Letter  from  William  Paterson,  the  Grandfather  of  Stephen 
Van  Rensselaer,  to  Henry  Kollock,  a  Tutor  at  the 
College  of  New  Jersey  163 

A  Letter  from  Dr.  Samuel  Smith,  the  College  President, 

to  William  Paterson  164 

A  Second  Letter  from  William  Paterson  to  Henry  Kollock   167 

A  Letter  from  the  Father  of  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  to  his 

Father-in-law,  William  Paterson  168 

PART  VIII 

SONGS  SUNG  AT  THE  COLLEGE  OF  NEW  JERSEY 
IN  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY,  FROM  A  PATER 
SON  MANUSCRIPT 

Cupid  Triumphant  1 7  3 

Pauvre  Madelon  1 7  r 

Jersey  Blue  177 

Lullaby  ^g 

Roger  i?9 

Song  ,8, 


10 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

WILLIAM  PATERSON,  GOVERNOR  OF  NEW  JERSEY.  By 
Mrs.  B.  S.  Church,  from  an  earlier  picture  in  the 
possession  of  Miss  Emily  K.  Paterson  Frontispiece 

JOHN   MACPHERSON.      From  the  oil-painting  in  possession 

of  his  great-niece,  Mrs.  Julia  M.Washington  Homer     38 

VERSE  FROM  AN  ORIGINAL  POEM  WRITTEN  BY  WILLIAM 
PATERSON  WHEN  IN  THE  LAW  OFFICE  OF  RICHARD 
STOCKTON,  OF  PRINCETON  48 

RICHARD  MONTGOMERY.      From  the  painting  by  Chappel       60 

THE  STOCKTON  HOUSE,  PRINCETON,  NEW  JERSEY,  WHERE 

WILLIAM  PATERSON  STUDIED  LAW  90 

AARON    BURR.      From   a   drawing   by   Albert    Rosenthal, 

after  the  painting  by  Gilbert  Stuart  130 

HENRY  LEE,  JR.      From  the  'portrait  by  J.  Herring,  after 

Stuart  1 34 


1 1 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  following  papers  belonged  to 
William  Paterson, — a  graduate  of 
the  College  of  New  Jersey  in 
1763, — who  succeeded  the  famous 
William  Livingston  as  governor  of  New  Jersey. 
The  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  saw  no 
more  brilliant  figure  than  that  of  this  youth,  whose 
name  deserves  to  rank  high  on  the  honor  roll  of 
illustrious  Americans.  Attorney-general  of  New 
Jersey  during  the  Revolution,  a  framer  of  the 
Federal  Constitution,  senator  of  the  United  States 
from  New  Jersey,  governor  of  the  State,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  an  associate  justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  his  life  was 
one  of  remarkable  achievement.  Until  a  few 
years  ago  most  of  his  correspondence  was  care 
fully  preserved,  and  in  his  great  oaken  letter-chest 
one  could  find  almost  a  complete  record  of  his 
life  from  youth  to  old  age :  Essays  prepared  at  the 
College  of  New  Jersey  in  1760;  poems  written 

'3 


INTRODUCTION 


on  portions  of  old  law-briefs,  bearing  dates  when 
he  served  as  a  law-apprentice  to  Richard  Stockton ; 
his  earliest  and  last  love-epistles  to  Cornelia  Bell, 
the  fair  Jersey  girl  who  became  his  wife ;  packets 
of  letters  from  a  host  of  faithful  friends,  together 
with  a  tear-stained  copy  of  the  order  for  his  tomb 
stone. 

William  Paterson  was  born  in  County  Antrim, 
Ireland,  December  24,  1745.  Shortly  after  his 
birth  his  parents  emigrated  to  the  New  World,  and 
for  a  period  of  about  three  years  wandered  here 
and  there  through  the  colonies  before  adopting  a 
fixed  abode.  In  the  Paterson  papers  we  find  it 
recorded  that  they  journeyed  to  the  hamlet  of 
Princetown  in  the  spring-time  of  1 750,  and  be 
coming  so  enamoured  with  the  place,  purchased 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  in  the  centre  of  the  set 
tlement  for  a  permanent  home.  Six  years  after  the 
family  became  residents  of  this  isolated  spot  on  the 
King's  Highway  connecting  New  York  City  and 
Philadelphia,  President  Burr  of  the  young  College 
of  New  Jersey  removed  his  students  from  Newark 
to  Princeton, — to  shield  them  from  the  temptations 
and  allurements  of  the  nearby  city  of  New  York. 

H 


INTRODUCTION 


William  Paterson  was  matriculated  in  that  in 
stitution  in  1759  or  1760,  receiving  the  degree 
of  A.B.  on  September  27,  1763.  Of  his  class — 
numbering  nineteen  graduates — twelve  became 
ministers.  As  family  tradition  points  to  the  fact 
that  in  his  studies  he  was  the  most  successful  of 
that  little  band  in  college,  so  his  subsequent  career 
far  eclipsed  that  of  any  of  his  fellow-students. 
With  the  exception  of  Tapping  Reeve,  who  mar 
ried  the  daughter  of  President  Burr  and  afterwards 
acquired  fame  as  an  eminent  Connecticut  jurist, 
his  latter  life  compared  to  theirs  was  like  a  star 
amidst  an  assembly  of  candle-lights.  A  youth 
of  obscure  parentage  who  by  his  industry  and 
self-denial  fitted  himself  to  receive  the  highest 
honors  of  his  State,  he  deserves  one  of  the  laurel- 
strewed  places  in  the  history  of  the  early  republic. 

Standing  before  Nassau  Hall  to-day — once  the 
most  stately  college-building  in  America — the 
mind  grows  retrospective.  Drinking  in  that  mys 
tical,  intangible  something  which  seems  to  hallow 
its  ancient  walls,  our  imaginations  lead  us  back 
to  the  Princeton  of  William  Paterson's  time, — a 
Princeton  less  flourishing  than  that  which  wel- 

15 


INTRODUCTION 


corned  the  tidings  of  the  Revolution  ten  years 
later.  The  trees  on  the  campus  were  then  only 
young  saplings.  On  the  main  thoroughfare  there 
reposed  a  tavern,  a  general  store,  and  several  small 
tinkers'  shops.  Among  the  travelled  gentry  of 
the  time  the  village  was  quite  noted  for  its  silver 
smiths,  over  one  of  whose  doors  hung  the  sign 
of  Elias  Boudinot,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Richard 
Stockton,  and  nearby  a  member  of  the  Paterson 
family  followed  the  same  trade.  There  the  stu 
dents  loitered  during  recesses,  running  to  meet  the 
"  Flying  Wagons/'  as  the  great  coaches  from  New 
York  were  called. 

A  hundred  and  fifty  years  have  worked  a  great 
transition  in  Princeton  College  life.  When  Wil 
liam  Paterson  was  a  fourteen-year-old  freshman  the 
students  were  obliged  to  attend  their  classes  in  a 
style  of  dress  prescribed  by  President  Davies. 
Every  youth  during  his  first  days  at  college  was 
set  to  copying  the  long  parchment  of  laws.  Fines 
were  imposed  for  absence  from  church  or  prayers. 
No  student  was  permitted  to  keep  his  head  cov 
ered  within  ten  rods  of  the  president  and  five 
rods  of  the  tutors.  Something  of  the  formal,  old- 

16 


INTRODUCTION 


time  collegiate  manners  can  be  learned  from  the 
fact  that  Samuel  Stanhope  Smith,  when  president, 
refused  to  speak  to  his  own  nephew  for  a  period 
of  six  months,  owing  to  the  unfortunate  young 
man's  breach  of  etiquette  in  calling  him  "  Doctor," 
instead  of  "  Doctor  Smith."  The  college  course 
itself  was  not  as  extensive  as  the  present  curriculum 
of  the  average  high  school,  and  lapses  in  spelling 
and  grammar  are  to  be  found  in  the  letters  of  the 
faculty  as  well  as  of  the  students. 

Two  years  after  leaving  college,  and  still  residing 
at  his  father's  house  in  Princeton,  William  Pater- 
son  aided  Robert  Ogden,  Luther  Martin,  Oliver 
Ellsworth,  and  Tapping  Reeve  in  the  formation  of 
The  Well-Meaning  Club.  The  Stamp  Act  had 
just  been  passed  by  the  British  Parliament,  and 
this  forerunner  of  the  Cliosophic  Society  could 
be  said  to  be  the  outcome  of  the  sentiment  of 
patriotism. 

In  the  year  1770  The  Well-Meaning  Club  was 
reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  Cliosophic 
Society.  Paterson  was  then  living  at  New 
Bromley,  Hunterdon  County,  New  Jersey,  but 
on  his  frequent  visits  to  his  home  he  acted  as  an 

17 


INTRODUCTION 


amicus  curi<e  to  the  new  organization  of  young 
literati.  Under  the  name  of  "  Lucius,  The  Occa 
sional  Reader,"  he  wrote  many  poems  for  the  little 
band  of  students  which  held  its  first  meetings  in 
one  of  the  upper  rooms  of  Nassau  Hall.  There 
he  would  resort  of  an  evening  when  the  candles 
were  snuffed  in  the  busy  Stockton  office,  where  he 
usually  spent  the  daytime.  We  can  picture  him 
to  ourselves  standing  in  the  centre  of  the  floor,  a 
slight,  animated  figure,  reading  his  quaint  "  Belle 
of  Princeton"  to  a  jolly  crowd  of  bewigged  and 
beruffled  students.  Many  laughs  of  appreciation 
must  have  been  accorded  to  his  witty  innuendoes, 
aimed  at  the  bugbears  of  their  lives.  "  Mark  the 
conduct  of  this  tutor,  the  Iyer  Smith  !"  we  hear 
his  ardent  voice  ring  out.  With  what  derision  his 
hearers  listen  to  his  recital  of  the  actions  of  the  de 
tested  Smith  during  a  recent  fire  in  a  house  near  the 
college.  Soon  the  society  is  in  an  uproar.  "  Great 
Paterson  !  We  will  leave  it  at  his  door  in  the  morn 
ing,"  some  daring  spirit  no  doubt  called  out.  Then, 
as  the  mirth  grows  louder,  the  stentorian  tones  of 
the  Doctor  fall  upon  the  company,  with  his  "  To 
bed  !  To  bed  !" 

18 


INTRODUCTION 


"  Lucius"  was  the  pseudonym  adopted  by  Richard 
Stockton  in  his  charming  correspondence  with 
his  wife ;  and  it  is  a  remarkable  coincidence  that 
both  student  and  master  should  have  used  the 
same  now  de  guerre.  Although  Richard  Stockton 
is  credited  with  having  given  voice  to  the  re 
mark  that  Mr.  Paterson  was  so  "industrious  he 
would  some  day  be  an  honor  to  his  profession," 
it  is  refreshing  to  know  that  he  sometimes  turned 
from  his  dull  Blackstone  to  consort  with  Calliope. 
Old  law- briefs  still  retain  two  of  his  early  poems. 
On  a  deed  giving  John  Moses  possession  of  a 
tract  of  land  are  the  following  pastoral  verses : 

"How  sweet  to  listen  to  a  purling  stream 
Whose  falling  waters  lull  me  in  a  dream. 
How  sweet  to  read,  and  if  the  fit  should  take 
To  court  the  muses  by  a  sunny  brake. 
How  soothing  sad  to  hear  yon  turtle-dove 
Deplore  the  loss  untimely  of  her  love. 

"  How  plaintively,  and  oft,  she  mourns  the  fate 
Of  her  too  tim'rous  and  unhappy  mate. 
Hark  !  Now  !  the  little  warblers  tune  their  throats, 
Welcoming  the  morning  with  their  notes. 
19 


INTRODUCTION 


The  mingled  melody  from  every  spray 
Conspires  to  add  new  lustre  to  the  day. 
All  one,  and  all,  doth  in  the  chorus  join. 
Pleasure  how  sweet,  and  concert  how  divine.'' 

On  a  portion  of  an  old  letter  we  find  some  un 
finished  verses  addressed  "  To  Sally,"  which  the 
youth  may  have  hidden  in  a  musty  tome  as  some 
stern  and  pompous  client  entered  the  Stockton 
office. 

"Hail,  beauteous  maid  !  thy  charms  inspire 
Old  age  with  transports  and  unwonted  fire. 
Roving  and  young,  the  pride  of  every  Heart, 
Nature  sure  form'd  thee  with  her  utmost  art. 
E'en  Nassau's  sons,  so  dazzling  bright  thy  eye, 
Revere  in  silence,  and  in  silence  die. 

"  Sally,  of  thee  I  sing  :  the  belle,  the  toast  ! 
Aurora's  self  not  half  thy  charms  can  boast  ; 
Lofty  thy  look  and  graceful  is  thy  mien. 
Love,  God  of  raptures,  in  each  feature's  seen. 
You          *          *          *          *          *          *  " 

William  Paterson  was  the  popular  man  of  his 
class  in  college,  and  during  a  period  of  ten  years 
after  graduation  he  retained  an  active  interest  in  his 

20 


INTRODUCTION 


alma  mater.  He  was  the  friend  and  idol  of  many 
a  struggling  youth,  his  character  being  singularly 
warm-hearted  and  lovable.  For  Aaron  Burr  he 
conceived  a  remarkable  attachment,  lasting  until 
death.  That  merry  youth  did  not  hesitate  to 
accept  his  aid  with  his  essays,  and  the  Burr  exercise 
on  dancing,  published  in  Mr.  Davis's  "  Memoirs 
of  Aaron  Burr,"  was  in  reality  the  work  of  his 
friend  William  Paterson. 

Among  the  pleasantest  features  of  college  life 
are  the  friendships  formed  there.  The  fraternal 
feeling  engendered  and  fostered  by  mingling  in  a 
large  company  of  young  men  of  like  age  and 
purpose  is  generally  proof  against  the  world's 
strongest  vicissitudes  met  with  in  later  years.  No 
young  man  ever  turns  his  back  upon  the  college 
where  he  has  passed  the  time  which  carried  him 
over  the  bridge  of  youth  to  manhood  without 
learning  something  of  the  meaning  of  universal 
brotherhood.  A  friendship  formed  at  the  College 
of  New  Jersey  was  that  of  William  Paterson  and 
John  Macpherson,  Jr.,  who  was  graduated  three 
years  later,  in  1 766.  These  two  youths  could  be 
compared  to  Nisus  and  Euryalus,  although,  one 


21 


INTRODUCTION 


lived  on  long  after  the  other  had  been  pierced  by 
steel  as  cruel  as  that  of  the  Volscian  horsemen. 
It  is  impossible  to  read  the  series  of  letters  written 
by  William  Paterson  to  the  college-mate  he  loved 
so  devotedly,  without  being  touched  by  the  perfect 
picture  of  affection  they  disclose.  John  Mac- 
pherson  was  the  eldest  son  of  Captain  John  Mac- 
pherson,  the  builder  of  Mount  Pleasant,  the  man 
sion  where  Benedict  Arnold  entertained  so  lavishly 
after  his  marriage  to  Miss  Shippen.  The  Mac- 
pherson  family  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
in  Pennsylvania,  and  young  Macpherson  enjoyed 
all  the  advantages  wealth  and  position  could 
bestow.  This  makes  the  attachment  of  the  two 
friends  all  the  more  remarkable.  They  corre 
sponded  with  each  other  for  a  period  of  seven 
years.  The  last  letter  was  written  by  William 
Paterson,  at  Raritan,  New  Jersey,  September  15, 
1 773,  and  contains  characteristic  raillery  on  Mac 
pherson 's  passion  for  Miss  Rebecca  Redman.  That 
fair  belle  of  old  Philadelphia  could  not  have 
returned  John  Macpherson's  love,  or  else  must 
have  been  a  heartless  coquette,  for  she  flits  through 
the  recorded  pages  of  the  Quaker  city's  society  as 

22 


INTRODUCTION 


one  of  the  most  frivalous  figures  during  Sir  William 
Howe's  regime.  Two  years  after  Paterson  penned 
his  last  words  to  his  friend — "  Do,  dear  Miss  (Miss 
Redman),  suffer  your  adoring  swain  to  take  a 
ramble  into  the  country  for  a  few  days" — the  cruel 
drama  of  the  Revolution  was  on,  and  Major  John 
Macpherson  had  fallen  by  the  side  of  his  chief, 
General  Richard  Montgomery,  in  the  assault  on 
Quebec.  Of  him  the  historian  Bancroft  wrote: 
"  In  the  pathway  lay  Macpherson,  the  pure-minded, 
youthful  enthusiast  for  liberty,  as  spotless  as  the 
new-fallen  snow  which  was  his  winding-sheet ;  full 
of  promise  for  war,  lovely  in  temper,  dear  to  the 
army,  honored  by  the  affection  and  confidence  of 
his  chief." 

It  is  hoped  that  the  Paterson  papers  will  reach 
all  true  lovers  of  our  past.  As  a  portrayal  of 
New  Jersey  colonial  life  by  the  pen  of  a  Princeton 
alumnus  they  are  unique.  As  a  record  of  the 
college  friendship  of  two  famous  Americans  the 
twenty-three  letters  from  William  Paterson  to 
John  Macpherson  are  unrivalled. 

The  earliest  exercise  of  the  famous  Cliosophic 
Society  preserved  at  Princeton  University  bears  the 

23 


INTRODUCTION 


date  July  2,  1 792.  William  Paterson's  "  Belle  of 
Princeton"  was  written  twenty  years  before  this 
time,  during  one  of  the  most  interesting  periods  of 
American  history.  Princeton  should  be  proud  of 
her  famous  son.  His  devotion  to  his  college  was 
remarkable,  and  was  kept  up  until  the  close  of  an 
active  life.  Side  by  side  with  his  great  achieve 
ments  for  his  State  and  the  federal  government  we 
will  place  his  long-hidden  records  of  early  Prince 
ton  life.  During  his  last  days,  in  the  fall-time  of 
1806,  his  thoughts  were  often  with  his  college. 
His  path  in  life  had  led  him  to  the  altitudes  and 
surrounded  him  with  friends,  but  Princeton  and 
the  long-lost  college-mate  John  Macpherson  were 
his  dearest  memories. 

W.  JAY  MILLS. 

February,  1903. 


24 


p  A  R  r  i 


SERIES    OF    LETTERS 

giving  much  entertaining  knowledge 
of  Colonial  Life 

W  r  i  t  t  e  n     by 

WILLIAM   PATERSON 

7  o    JOHN    MACPHERSON,    J R . 

1766-1773 


So  word  by  word,  and  line  by  line, 

The  dead  man  touch' d  me  from  the  past, 
And  all  at  once  it  seem'd  at  last 

His  living  soul  was  flash' d  on  mine." 


T\8  R  A  R 

Or  TH£ 

UNIVERSITY 


-,„,„„_     T 
ETTER   1 


Contains  Pertinent  Reflections  on  the  Study 
of  Law 

3  ist  Deer     DEAR  JOHNNY.      1766. 

I  AM  very  much  obliged  for  your  half  dozen 
lines,  as  they  serve  to  usher  in  an  epistolary 
correspondence.     A    conversing   on   paper 
with  an  absent  friend  I  esteem  one  of  the 
greatest   pleasures  in  life  :    be  assured  then,  dear 
Johnny,  that  I  shall  take  peculiar  pleasure  in  receiv 
ing  and  answering  your  letters.     The  only  unease 
[j/V  in  the  copy]  I  feel  at  present  is,  that  I'm  appre 
hensive  our  literary  chit-tat  will  be  of  short  dura 
tion,  for  you  inform  me,  that  in  a  few  days  you 
should  move  to  Philadelphia,  to  study  law.1    If  so, 
it  is  highly  probable  you  either  will  be  so  absorbed 
in  the  dulness  of  the  law,  or  so  enchanted  with 
some  Dulcinea,  that  poor  pilgarlic  will  be  left  in  the 
lurch.     For  my  part  I  am  tired  heartier  "  of  Vernon 

1A  week   before   this   letter   was   written  William    Paterson 
reached  his  majority. 

27 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

and  ventris  and  all  the  damned  entries."  To  be  a 
complete  lawyer,  is  to  be  versed  in  the  feudal  system, 
and  to  say  the  truth,  I  am  not  very  fond  of  being 
entangled  in  the  cobwebs  of  antiquity.  Sic  Lex  est, 
is  what  every  plodding  pettifogger  can  say,  but  to 
dive  into  the  spirit,  requires  intense  application  and 
assiduity.  But  of  all  the  sages  of  the  law,  pre 
serve  me  from  the  pedantic,  rambling,  helter-skelter 
Master  Coke.  Such  eternal  egotism  and  dictatorial 
pomp  breathe  through  his  works,  that  I  lose  all 
patience  in  reading  them.  He  writes  up  strictly  to 
the  injunction  of  Horace,  for  he  carries  us  "to 
Thebes,  to  Athens,  and  the  Lord  knows  where" — I 
doubt  not  but  you  have  made  great  proficiency,1 
and  now  are,  a  profound  casuist  in  working  out 
distinctions  without  a  difference,  in  clouding  truth 
with  ambiguity,  and  in  mouthing  with  surprising 
volubility,  a  muster  role  of  law  phrases,  which  like 
Sancho  Panza's  string  of  proverbs,  you  have  always 
at  command.  The  following  couplet  of  Pope, 
portrays  well  the  character  of  an  expert  lawyer. 
In  a  nice  balance,  truth  with  gold  he  weighs,  And 
solid  pudding  against  empty  praise.  My  letter  is 
of  decent  length,  therefore  adieu. 

WM  PATERSON. 
28 


LETTER  II 

Contains  References  to  SAMUEL   GREVILLE, 
a  Philadelphia  actor 

Princeton  2 6th  January  1767. 

DR  SIR:  Capt  Walcott  handed  me 
your  letter,  from  the  bulk  of  which,  I 
pleased  myself  with  the  hope  of  great 
entertainment,  but  parturunt  monies, 
nascitur  ridiculus  mus.  The  bulky  outside  covered 
some  pigmy  lines,  about  an  inch  apart,  and  any 
thing,  good  lord,  to  fill  up  half  a  side.  Pray,  Dr 
Jack,  for  once  exercise  your  invention,  and  let  the 
fruits  thereof  appear  in  goodly  quantity  in  your 
next.  Write  often,  and  as  often  as  you  write,  say 
a  great  deal.  The  fact  is  however,  you  are  so  con 
foundedly  lazy,  it  is  almost  impossible  for  you  to 
put  pen  to  paper,  and  when  you  do,  you  begin  and 
end  in  the  same  breath.  Your  first  letter  apolo 
gised  for  shortness,  because  you  were  out  of  the 
way  of  news,  but  when  you  went  to  Philadelphia, 

29 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

a  place  teeming  with  newsmongers,  you  were  to  be 
more  entertaining.  But  never  a  barrel  better  her 
ring:  both  letters  were  equally  short,  and  alike 
deficient  in  news.  I  live  in  a  little  country  village 
where  incidents  worth  communicating  are  scarce. 
If  any  ever  happen,  my  letters  are  at  treble  the 
length  of  yours.  Poor  Greville,1  what  a  noble  sub 
ject  on  which  to  moralize,  "  in  truth  'tis  pitiful,  most 
wondrous  pitiful."  Sam's  fate  reached  Princeton 
long  ago,  before  he  appeared  on  the  stage.  You 
might  have  been  more  particular,  and  informed  me 
what  induced  him  to  take  that  unhappy  course. 
Was  it  because  his  finances  were  reduced  to  low 
ebb,  or  was  he  smitten  by  an  actress,  as  is  not 
uncommon  ?  I  hear  he  plead  poverty,  in  order  to 
obviate  which,  some  gentlemen  offered  to  sustain 
him,  during  his  continuance  with  Galloway.  Per 
haps  his  high  spirit  could  not  brook  that.  I  am 
Dr  Sir  Etc.  WM  PATERSON. 

1  Samuel  Greville  was  an  actor  01  some  prominence  in  Phila 
delphia.  He  studied  a  year  or  two  at  the  College  of  New 
Jersey,  but  was  never  graduated. 


3° 


LETTER  III 

Contains  a    Picture  of  Perfect    Friendship 

May  i  ith,  1767. 

WHETHER  it  is  the  whisper  of 
the  Guardian  Angel  or  the  freaks 
of  a  disordered  imagination,  I  can 
not  say,  but  for  some  time  past,  I 
have  been  pained  with  forebodings  of  your  being 
sick,  and  which  in  spite  of  my  efforts,  haunt  me 
wherever  I  go.  Some  unfortunate  incident  has  oc 
curred,  some  unforeseen  affliction  happened,  or  my 
friend  would  have  written.  He  knows  I  love  him, 
he  knows  I  am  pleased  to  hear  of  his  good  fortune, 
he  knows  I  am  delighted  to  correspond  with  him, 
why  then  is  he  so  remiss  in  answering  my  last 
letter  ?  He  used  to  be  speedy,  and  never  till  now 
has  he  delayed  so  long.  Now  three  months  have 
intervened  since  I  wrote,  and  four  since  I  have  re 
ceived  a  letter.  Judge  Dr  Sir,  if  I  have  not  just 
ground  to  be  uneasy.  No  life  is  so  irksome,  so 

3* 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

racking  as  a  life  of  suspense ;  pray  therefore,  write 
by  the  first  opportunity.  But  perhaps  Martin,  by 
whom  I  sent  my  last  letter,  has  neglected  to  de 
liver  it,  though  I  am  convinced  he  meant  to  call 
on  you  on  his  way.  Perhaps  you  were  not  at 
home,  and  if  so,  Martin  would  have  left  the  letter 
with  your  fellow-clerk,  Rush,  or  some  other  of  his 
acquaintance,  so  that  there  was  little  probability  of 
its  miscarrying.  Strong  in  the  belief  that  you 
must  have  received  it,  I  have  designed  more  than 
once  to  maul  you  for  neglect,  but  the  fear  of  your 
being  sick,  or  of  the  missal  failing  to  reach  you, 
always  bridled  my  pen.  We  are  very  ingenious  in 
finding  excuses  for  persons  we  love :  we  lay  hold 
of  every  straw,  and  catch  at  every  surmise  however 
fanciful,  to  alleviate  whatever  may  appear  either  a 
slight  neglect.  The  pleasure  I  took  in  receiving 
and  answering  your  letters,  and  the  hope  that  our 
correspondence  would  be  lasting,  heightened  the 
fear  of  that  coming  to  an  end  so  soon.  But  per 
haps  you  keep  so  closely  to  your  studies,  that  you 
cannot  spare  a  moment  for  writing  to  a  friend.  I 
hinted  in  my  first  letter,  that  our  correspondence 
would  not  continue  for  any  long  time,  as  I  feared 

32 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

you  would  be  immersed  too  deeply  in  the  law,  to 
perform  your  part  of  the  engagement.  But  has 
Law  such  a  Lethe  as  to  make  its  students  forgetful 
of  its  friends  ?  I  hope  not.  If  it  has,  I  shall  bid 
adieu  immediately,  to  a  study  so  unsocial.  I  am, 

Dr  Sir  Etc. 

WM  PATERSON. 


33 


LETTER  IV 

Contains  a  Description  of  JACOB   RUSH, 
of  Philadelphia 

May  2  1st,  1767. 

YOUR   kind   letter,  Dr  Jack,   proved 
doubly  welcome,  for  not  only  did  it 
remove  my  apprehensions   concern 
ing  your  health,  but  also  convinced 
me  fully  that  I  had  a  warm  place  in  your  affec 
tions.     I  regret  your  late  letter  has  not  come  to 
hand.1    Burt  lodged  with  me  while  in  town,  and  as 
he  told  me  he  had  been  in  Philadelphia,  I  was  very 
inquisitive,  and  almost  stunned  him  with  questions. 
Among  other  things,  he  informed  me  particularly 
concerning  the  circumstances  of  Sam  Greville,  and 
gave  me  a  more  adequate  idea  of  the  merit  of  the 
respective  actors,  than  I  had  before.     What  sort 

1  In  1767  Trenton  was  the  nearest  post-office  to  Princeton, 
and  letters  frequently  went  astray.  A  letter  was  advertised 
there  in  1755  directed  to  Richard  Paterson,  Princeton. 

34 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON, 


of  performance  is  the  play,  which  was  written  by  a 
Son  of  Philadelphia  College,  and  which,  if  I  mis 
take  not,  has  been  introduced  lately  on  the  stage  *?  l 
I  heard  it  read  a  few  days  ago,  in  a  cursory  way, 
but  was  not  able  to  form  a  judgment  on  its  worth  : 
I  think  however,  that  the  author  has  misnamed  it  : 
had  it  been  baptised  a  comico-farcical  dramatic 
piece,  it  would  have  been  more  consonant  to  the 
general  scope.  It  was  represented  but  once,  if  I 
can  trust  my  memory,  which  is  tantamount  to 
being  damned.  Do  you  know  who  wrote  the  pro 
logue  and  epilogue?  The  first  is  good  enough 
for  the  play,  but  the  other  is  the  most  despic 
able  that  ever  appeared  in  print.  I  used  to  curse 
anathematise  the  poetical  conundrums,  epigrams, 
squibs,  etc.,  of  our  Nassovian  Bards.  But  I  find 
they  make  as  good  musick  as  their  neighbors  : 
whether  they  have  more  common  sense,  is  a  moot 
point.  Nunc  est  formosissimus  omnis.  Pray,  Jack, 
try  if  you  can  spend  a  few  days  in  the  country.  I 
mean  here  at  Princeton.  I  can  offer  no  greater 
inducement  than  seeing  your  friends,  and  among 

irThis  play  was  <«  The  Disappointment,"  acted  in  Philadel 
phia  in  May,  1767. 

35 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

the  rest,  your  very  humble  servant.  Mr  Dickin 
son,  I  dare  say,  can  dispense  with  your  attendance 
for  a  week  or  so,  especially  as  he  has  such  a  num 
ber  of  clerks.  You  will  please  to  present  my  very 
best  compliments  to  Master  Rush.1  I  desire  to 
keep  on  amicable  terms  at  least  with  that  gentle 
man,  for  you  know  he  is  to  be  the  Speaker  of  the 
Hon.  House  of  Commons.  For  my  part,  I  think 
he  bids  fair  to  fill  a  large  two  armed  chair,  as  Ser 
geant  tells  me  he  is  at  least  two  feet  more  globular 
than  he  was  twelve  months  ago.  I  am,  Dr  Sir, 

yours  very  sincerely 

WM  PATERSON. 

1  Jacob  Rush  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush.  He  was 
graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1765.  On  com 
mencement  day  he  pronounced  an  oration  on  Liberty.  He 
entered  the  profession  of  the  law,  and  became  chief  justice  or 
Pennsylvania. 


LETTER  V 

Contains  Charming  Gossip  of  the  Times 

Monday  Night,  almost  12  oclock,  July  2Oth  1767. 

DR  SIR :    I  sent  you  a  few  days  ago, 
a  large  pacquet,  delivered  to  a  very 
trusty  person.     So  set  the  letters  to 
Boyd  and  Martin  afloat  as  soon  as 
possible.     Yesterday  morning,  Mr.    Stockton   re 
turned,1  and  the  most  material  piece  of  news  he 
has  communicated  yet,  is  that  Dr  Witherspoon  has 
refused,  absolutely,  to  accept  of  the  Presidency. 
There  is  such  a  crowd  of  visitants  to  welcome  him, 
that  it  is  impossible  almost  to  obtain  any  satisfactory 
information  concerning  political  affairs.     I  should 
write  more  but  am  too  fatigued  from  a  pleasure 
ride  to  Trenton.2    The  company  was  agreeable,  but 

1  After   the   return   of  Mr.  Stockton,  Rev.  Samuel  Blair,  the 
youthful   divine,   was  chosen   president  by  the  trustees.       He 
recalled  his  acceptance  on  an  intimation  of  a  change  of  mind  on 
the  part  of  Dr.  Witherspoon.  • 

2  The  pleasure  excursion  referred  to  was  a  straw-ride. 

37 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

the  rattling  and  jolting  of  the  waggon,  were  suffi 
cient  in  all  conscience,  to  mortify  a  person  of  such 
a  silent  turn  as  your  friend,  and  then  it  rained 
besides  on  our  return.  For  the  future  I'm  resolved 
to  bid  adieu  to  roving,  and  continue  within  the 
smoke  of  Princeton,  since  such  ill-hap  awaits  my 
rambling.  And  yet  on  my  conscience,  I  believe  I 
would  go  again  to  morrow,  could  I  go  with  the 
same  company.  But  glad  I  am  that  such  inviting 
company  rarely  occurs.  You  may  perceive  that  I 
write  with  my  usual  freedom,  though  complaining 
of  fatigue.  This  difficulty  requires  to  be  solved. 
Attend.  The  girls  have  been  teasing  me  about 
being  in  love,  and  in  fair  truth,  the  young  lady,  my 
Amanda,  is  so  very  handsome,  that  it  was  easy 
to  believe  it  myself.  It  gives  me  great  pleasure, 
when  I  am  said  to  be  in  love  with  sense  and  beauty, 
because  it  is  an  indirect  way  of  paying  a  compli 
ment.  Alas  poor  Thomson,1  I  have  been  so  much 
employed,  that  I  forgot  the  priest :  it  is  neither 
polite  or  devout  to  put  him  in  the  rear.  He  was 
on  trial  at  Cranberry  some  three  weeks  ago,  and 

1  James   Thomson,    a   tutor   for   eight  years,    from    1762    to 
1770. 

38 


JOHN     MACPHERSON 

From   the  oil-painting  in   possession  of  his  great-niece, 
Mrs.  Julia  M.  Washington   Horner 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

gave  us  a  preachment  yesterday,  in  which  he  sur 
passed  my  expectations.  His  style  was  neat  and 
simple,  his  matter  well  arranged,  not  at  all  flighty 
or  vague.  He  was  articulate  and  spirited,  his 
accents  just,  and  emphasis  generally  well  laid.  Of 
course  he  was  not  without  failings.  Who  is? 
Errare  est  humanum.  The  Clock  strikes  Twelve. 
Adieu.  WM  PATERSON. 

To  MR  McPHERSON. 


39 


LETTER  VI 

Contains  a  Catechism  on  LUCY  LAWRANCE, 
of  Maidenhead,  now  Lawrenceville,  and 
Miss  YOUNG,  of  Boston 

August  5th,  1767. 

YOUR  two  letters  of  the  22d  and  2Qth 
of  July  were  handed  to  me  by  El- 
mendorff.     Things  are  discussed  best 
by    method :    begin    we  then   with 
letter   the   first.     This   is   soon   answered.     I   am 
obliged  to  you  for  sending  Martin's  letter,  and  hope 
you  made  a  hearty  meal.     Upon  my  faith  Jack,  I 
believe  Epicurus  is  your  Lord  Coke.     Now  then 
for  letter  the  second :  this  I  forsee  requires  a  long 
answer,  and  great  attention,  and  in  my  eye,  is  the 
finest  letter  you  ever  wrote.     Miss  Lawrance1  and 
Miss  Young ; 2  what  magic  there  is  in  names  !    I 
have  huged  [sic]  and  kissed  this  letter  over  and 

1  Lucy  and  Nancy  Lawrance  were  the  daughters  of  a  promi 
nent  resident  of  Maidenhead. 

2  Miss  Young  was  a  visitor  from  Boston. 

40 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,   1766-1773 

over  again  with  as  much  pleasure  and  satisfaction  as 
Tom  Jones  did  his  Sophia's  Muff.  While  blessed 
with  the  company  of  such  charming  creatures,  I 
neither  "  envy  Jove  his  sunshine  or  his  sky." 

"  Place  me  where  never  summer's  breeze, 
Unbends  the  glebe  or  warms  the  trees, 
Wherever  lowering  clouds  appear, 
And  angry  Jove  deforms  the  inclement  year. 
Place  me  beneath  the  burning  ray, 
Where  rolls  the  rapid  car  of  day. 
Love  and  the  nymph  shall  charm  my  toils, 
The  nymph  who  sweetly  speaks  and  sweetly  smiles." 

What !  You'll  swear  that  I  am  over  head  and 
ears  in  love,  and  ready  to  run  distracted.  I  hope 
not,  for  then  I  shall  be  in  great  danger  of  being  a 
wit,  if  what  Dryden  says  is  true,  "  Sure  madness 
nearly  is  to  wit  ally'd."  A  mere  jingle  of  words, 
and  that  is  all,  without  the  least  appearance  of  truth, 
and  therefore  not  applicable  to  this  case.  Now  for 
answers  to  your  questions.  "Poor  Will!  How 
does  Lucy  Lawrance  do  ?"  Why  very  well  I  hope. 
"  Does  not  your  heart  go  pit-a-pat  at  sight  of  her 
name  ?"  Nay,  as  to  that,  I  will  not  say  positively, 
if  there  be  such  a  thing  as  loving  on  hearsay,  I 

41 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

believe  I  do,  for  you  must  know  I  am  so  far  from 
the  happiness  of  being  acquainted  with  her,  that  I 
have  never  seen  her,  propria  persona,  tho'  the  night 
before  your  letter  came,  I  had  a  most  delightful 
dream  about  her,  and  my  word  for  it,  she  looked 
as  beautiful  as  an  angel.  Does  not  this  remind 
you  of  Don  Quixote's  Dulcinea  ?  "  How  often  a 
day  do  you  go  to  see  herw?"  Not  once:  this  is  a 
pretty  sort  of  catechism  enough.  "  How  many 
days  do  you  stay  at  a  time  ?"  Not  one :  there  now, 
I  hope  your  curiosity  is  fully  satisfied.  You  insist 
on  knowing  who  went  with  me  on  the  Trenton 
frolic.  Let  me  say,  Miss  Young,  Miss  Lawrance, 
not  Lucy,  but  Nancy,  Miss  Newell,  Miss  Norris, 
with  a  long  et  cetera.  You  mistook  Nancy  for 
Lucy,  a  slight  error.  You  guessed  however, 
amazingly  well,  considering  you  had  nobody  to 
assist  you,  but  Miss  Young  and  Miss  Elmendorff. 
What  a  happy  thing  it  is,  my  friend,  you  do  not 
live  in  New  England,  for  if  you  did,  you  would  be 
tucked  up  most  certainly  for  a  wizard.  What  is 
Greville  going  to  do?  Pray  tell  me  about  him. 
My  compliments  to  the  boys. 

I  am  yours  sincerely, 

WM  PATERSON. 
4* 


LETTER  VII 

Contains  a  Dissertation  on  the  Charms  of 
Miss  REBECCA  REDMAN,  of  Philadelphia 

October  7th  1767. 

VERY  DR  JOHNNY:  An  anxious 
concern  for  your  safety,  and  a  dread 
lest  you  pore  over  one  delightful  ob 
ject,  with  too  much  ardor  and  close 
ness,  induce  me  to  write  you  so  soon.     Hearken 
then  to  the  instructions  I  impart,  and  give  ear  that 
you  may  be  wise,  so  shall  you  shun  the  paths  of 
the  foolish,  and  walk  in  the  way  of  understanding. 
Madness  arises  from  too  close  an  attention  to  a 
particular  object,  and  therefore  we  should  be  careful 
not  to  pursue  any  thing,  however  alluring,  with  too 
much  eagerness  and  intensity.    Examples  might  be 
adduced,  but  you  can  recollect  easily,  many  bright 
geniuses,  who  have  lost  their  senses  thus  foolishly. 

43 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

I  fear  lest  my  friend  may  add  to  their  number. 
There  is  a  variety  of  objects  in  a  city  like  Philadel 
phia  to  draw  attention,  but  I  am  more  afraid  of  the 
effect  of  a  single  glance  from  Miss  R-dm-n1 
upon  my  friend,  than  all  the  fashionable  amuse 
ments  of  the  Town.  But  as  you  have  lucid  inter 
vals  still,  I  advise  you  to  shun  that  particular 
attraction  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  beware  of 
her  inviting  smile.  Never  let  your  attention  be 
fixed,  but  keep  roving  around.  You  told  me 
when  we  talked  this  matter  over,  you  are  of  an 
amorous  complexion,  and  apt  to  slide  imperceptibly 
into  love.  My  opinion  is  you  should  fly  to  the 
country.  Come  to  Princeton,  and  we  will  go  to 
Mr  Lawrance's,  and  every  where  else  but  Philadel 
phia.  Distance  may  wear  off  the  soft  impression, 
and  my  friend  thus  recover  his  usual  serenity  and 

1  Rebecca  Redman  was  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  Redman, 
a  prominent  physician  of  Philadelphia.  The  Redmans  played 
an  important  part  in  the  social  history  of  early  Philadelphia. 
Becky  Redman,  as  she  was  popularly  called,  was  one  of  the 
belles  of  the  "  Meschianza."  Major  Andre  was  one  of  her 
admirers  and  addressed  poetry  to  her.  She  married  Colonel 
Elisha  Lawrence,  in  December,  1779. 

44 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

flow  of  spirits,  unless  he  is  so  far  gone  that  time 
will  but  make  the  impress  more  deep,  like  channels 
are  worn  in  the  brooks.  I  know  from  what  you 
have  said,  you  are  beyond  your  depth.  Your  self 
captivity  has  given  me  great  uneasiness  since  you 
informed  me.  I  shall  keep  it  under  the  rose.  Rush 
has  an  admirable  knack  in  dissecting  love  sick  hearts. 
Apply  to  him,  or  if  you  would  rather  not  let  him 
into  your  secret  self,  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me, 
and  I  will  cheerfully  undertake  the  task.  In  order 
to  divert  your  attention  from  Miss  R-dm-n,  I 
have  inserted  the  following  questions,  which  please 
communicate  to  Rush,  and  let  me  know  your 
answers.  A  obtains  Judgment  against  B,  and 
issues  Execution  thereon,  which  the  Sheriff  returns 
thus :  "  I  have  levied  on  the  goods  of  B  to  the 
value  of  £6  which  remain  etc."  A  vend.  Exps.  is 
ordered.  B  dies  before  the  issuing  of  that.  Will 
the  decease  of  B  preclude  a  Vend.  Exps.  from 
issuing  immediately,  or  must  a  Sci.  Fa.  be  issued  ? 
A  sues  B  who  prevails  on  C  to  be  his  Special  Bail. 
C  dies.  What  must  be  done  ?  Can  the  Exr's  of 
C  take  the  same  steps  with  respect  to  B,  that  C 
could  if  he  were  alive  *?  Or  must  A  demand  better 

45 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

bail  of  B  ?  Or  does  not  the  death  of  C  discharge 
his  recognisance,  and  consequently  his  exr?  When 
is  heir  a  word  of  limitation,  &  when  of  purchase  ? 
I  am  Dr  Johnny,  yours  etc 

WM  PATERSON. 


LETTER  VIII 

Contains  News  of  THE   COLLEGE  OF  NEW 
JERSEY 

Sunday  Afternoon  : 

DR  SIR:  Your  two  letters  of  i6th  of 
last   month  and   yth   of  this,  came 
to  hand  much  about  the  same  time. 
Mr  Boudinot,1  to  whom  you  com 
mitted  the  care  of  the  first,  neglected  to  leave  it  on 
his  way  through  this  place.     It  was  eleven  oclock 
at  night  when  he  came  to  Mr  Stocktons,  and  he 
started  early  next  morning,  so  that  he  is  pretty 
excusable  for  his  neglect.     Had  I  known  of  this 
opportunity,  I  should  have  answered  the  questions 
you  sent,  which  now  must  be  deferred.    Mr  Scudder 

1  Mr.  Boudinot  was  Elias  Boudinot,  a  brother  of  Mrs.  Richard 
Stockton.  He  played  an  important  part  in  the  struggle  for  in 
dependence,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war,  as  president  of  the  first 
Continental  Congress,  signed  the  Treaty  of  Peace  with  Great 
Britain. 

47 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

goes  off  too  early  to-morrow,  and  at  this  season 
of  the  year,  I  do  not  care  to  live  up  to  the  precept 
of  the  parent  of  his  Colonial  Excellency.  Perhaps 
a  peep  at  your  Miss  Nancy  might  be  a  strong 
inducement  to  look  on  sunrise  these  wintry  morn 
ings.  Pray  what  sort  of  weather  have  you  :  here 
it  is  very  severe,  and  ink  almost  freezes  in  the  pen. 
The  boys — his  young  brothers — tell  me  the  skating 
is  excellent :  will  this  be  any  inducement  to  visit 
ing  Princeton.  Pray  contrive  matters  so  as  to 
make  a  Christmas — New  Years  Jaunt.  Wither- 
spoon  is  President.  Mercy  on  me !  we  shall  be 
over-run  with  Scotchmen,  the  worst  vermin  under 
Heaven.  Fresh manship  is  abolished.  The  officers 
of  the  College  for  the  future,  are  to  choose  all  the 
Orators.  A  Grammar-School  is  to  be  established 
in  town,  under  the  inspection  of  the  Trustees. 
Each  Tutor  has  an  equal  voice  with  the  President, 
in  the  Government  of  the  College,  except  when 
equally  divided,  then  the  President  to  have  the 
turning  Voice.  I  am  Etc 

WM  PATERSON. 

To  MR  McPHERSON. 


48 


n    > 
n    r 


H 

o   > 
-*    2 


Z     H 


II 


t* 

^      S. 


LETTER  IX 

Contains    Remarks   on    the  Wedding   of 
WILLIAM  SCHENCK 

DR  JOHNNY     "  Your  two  letters  of 
Sunday  Afternoon  and  Deer  21,  have 
lain  unanswered  so  long,  that  I  am 
ashamed  almost  to  let  you  know  I 
received  them."     Almost !  there's  a  word !     Why 
Jack,  you  should  be  quite  ashamed.     But  on  sec 
ond  thoughts,  I  am  at  a  loss  whether  to  congratu 
late  you,  on  being  so  virtuous  in  this  sinful  age  as 
to   preserve   a   little   shame,   or   on  your   having 
shaken  it  off  so  nearly.     For  the  first,  I  admire 
you  most  as  a  man,  but  as  a  lawyer,  I  admire  you 
most  for  the  second.     To  let  shame  have  a  place 
in  the  composition  of  a  lawyer,  or  if  a  place,  not 
to  root  it  out,  would  degrade  the  venerable  profes 
sion,  and  therefore,  Jack,  you  and  I  should  get  rid 
of  it  as  fast  as  we  can.     Dame  Nature  indeed,  has 
woven  it  so  in  our  frame,  that  generally,  it  requires 
4  49 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

some  time  before  we  can  wear  it  away,  but  this 
should  make  us  more  wary  and  active,  lest  with 
other  habits  and  qualities  of  the  kind,  it  should 
grow  with  our  growth  and  strengthen  with  our 
strength.  But  I  must  quit  moralising,  a  bad  word 
Jack,  but  the  first  to  come  to  hand.  Now  for 
your  questions.  In  answer  to  No  i,  I  shall  tran 
scribe  a  case  from  Venirs  Abrt,  Customs  of  Lon 
don  Page  222,  cited  from  Carter,  26  Pasch  i 
Wand  M  in  B.  R.  It  was  agreed  by  all  that  a 
foreign  Attachment  in  London,  is  to  compel  an 
appearance  of  the  Defendant ;  for  if  he  appear  in  a 
year  and  a  day,  and  puts  in  bail,  the  garnishee  is 
discharged,  but  without  bail,  appearance  will  not 
be  accepted.  This  is  quoted  also  in  i  Bacon  689. 
So  that  the  bare  coming  of  A  to  London,  is  far 
from  causing  the  Attachment  to  cease.  There  is 
no  foreign  attachment  Act  in  this  Province,  and 
therefore  it  is  a  branch  of  knowledge  little  under 
stood.  By  your  sending  the  question,  I  conjecture 
it  must  be  established  in  Pennsylvania. — The  other 
answers  are  omitted. — As  to  Q  2  of  mine,  i  Roll 
Abrt  931,  cited  in  2d  Bacon  427,  is  against  you 
directly:  so  is  Cokes  Jam  641  and  671.  As  to 

50 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

your  Q  3,  you  did  not  hit  on  my  meaning,  nor  is 
it  much  wonder,  for  by  the  manner  in  which  it 
was  worded,  I  find  I  did  not  hit  upon  it  myself. — 
You  ask  who  is  your  Nancy  ?  That  is  more  than 
I  can  tell.  I  recollected,  after  sealing  your  letter, 
I  had  made  a  mistake  in  the  name.  Only  say 
Nancy,  als  die  to  Becky,  and  I  dare  say  you  will 
not  plead  misnomer.  I  can  account  for  the  slip 
only  by  supposing  that  every  thing  is  Nancy  with 
me,  as  it  is  Becky  with  you. — The  Poem  said 
to  be  wrote  by  J.  Tennent,1  is  called  Oppression. 
Caleb  Cooper  who  keeps  a  school  at  Brunswick,  is 
the  self  same  Caleb  who  used  to  be  at  College. 
Last  Monday  two  weeks,  Mr  Wm  Schenck,2  for 
merly  of  Nassau  Hall,  Student,  was  married  to  the 

1  J.  Tennent  was  John  Van  Brugh  Tennent,  who  founded 
the  Medical  College  of  New  York.  He  was  graduated  from 
the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1758. 

William  Schenck  was  a  graduate  of  the  College  of  New  Jer 
sey  in  1767.  He  studied  theology,  and  married  Anna  Cum- 
ming,  the  daughter  of  a  Freehold  merchant,  three  years  before 
ne  was  licensed  to  preach.  Her  sister  Mary  was  the  wife  or 
Doctor  Alexander  Macwhorter,  famous  in  the  annals  of  old 
Newark,  Mr.  Schenck  was  the  grandfather  of  the  Hon.  Robert 
C.  Schenck,  minister  to  Great  Britain. 

51 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

agreeable  and  beautiful  Miss  Anna  Cummins  of 
Freehold,  who  really  is  a  very  handsome  young 
lady  of  eighteen.  I  think  I  have  hit  nearly  on  the 
style  of  the  newspapers  in  this  article. — I  have 
been  reading  late  numbers  of  the  Chronicle,  in 
which  the  first  thing  that  struck  me  was  a  string 
of  marriages.  What  a  blessed  year  is  this  !  Peo 
ple  think  of  nothing  but  marrying  and  giving  in 
marriage,  and  so  I  close  with  ending  where  I 
begun,  that  is,  with  marriage.  I  am  Dr  Johnny. 

Yours  Sincerely 

WM  PATERSON. 

TO    MR    McPHERSON. 


LETTER  X 

Contains  References  to  the  Kisses  of  LAURA 
LEE  and  BETSEY  RANDOLPH 

PRINCETON  July  jist  1768. 

DR  JOHNNY :  I  mean  to  write  you 
a  letter,  though  I  have  naught  to  say 
that  can  give  you  much  pleasure, 
only  merely  that  I  am  well,  and  this, 
I  am  vain  enough  to  imagine,  will  afford  you 
some  satisfaction.  But  be  this  as  it  may,  certain  I 
am,  that  a  tolerable  s.tate  of  health,  fills  me  at  least 
with  gladness,  though  I  hope  not  unaccompanied 
by  gratitude  and  a  becoming  sense  of  its  importance. 
Scarcely  if  ever,  do  we  form  a  just  estimate  of  the 
value  of  a  thing  until  deprived  of  it,  and  this  is  the 
reason  that  health,  tho'  one  of  the  greatest  bless 
ings,  is  esteemed  so  little.  Mankind  are  weak  and 
feeble  enough  by  nature,  without  the  additional 
weights  of  luxury  and  intemperance,  but  yet — 
what  silly  beings  mortals  are — daily  observation 

53 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

evinces,  that  numbers  lend  helping  hands  to  their 
own  undoing,  and  hasten  the  period  of  their  lives, 
by  excessive  voluptuousness.  Hence  so  many 
youthful  valetudenarians,  who  worn  out  by  intem 
perance  and  riot,  labour  under  a  complication  of 
disorders.  Such  may  be  called  self-murderers,  for 
they  bring  on  disease  deliberately,  and  sickness, 
that  shatter  their  constitutions,  however  hale,  and 
thus  bring  them  to  untimely  tombs.  Bless  me, 
what  a  rambling  mortal  I  am  !  I  have  been  mor 
alising  for  a  page,  when  I  intended  simply  to  say  I 
am  well,  and  heartily  glad  of  it,  whether  you  are 
or  no.  But  the  truth  is,  I  was  in  a  serious  mood. 
I  have  been  contemplating  the  vanity  of  riches,  the 
frailty  of  beauty,  the  folly  of  mankind,  and  the 
emptiness  of  earthy  pleasures,  with  the  gravity  of  a 
philosopher.  I  behold  the  aims  of  the  busy,  the 
schemes  of  the  politician,  the  aspiring  hopes  of  the 
proud  and  ambitious,  the  ostentation  of  the  great, 
the  conquests  of  heroes,  and  even  the  crush  of 
worlds,  with  the  indifference  of  a  Plato  or  a  Soc 
rates.  See  what  it  is  to  be  a  stoick  !  Your  letter 
of  2yth  June,  came  to  hand  a  few  days  after  I 
had  written  you  by  Mr  Halsey.  Indeed  I  was 

54 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

surprised  at  your  long  silence,  nor  did  I  know  the 
reason,  until  I  learned  you  had  gone  to  Maryland. 
That  trip  could  not  have  been  very  agreeable,  or 
you  would  not  say  you  could  hardly  be  persuaded 
to  take  such  another  for  twenty  kisses  of  Laura 
Lee  or  Betsey  Randolph.  Not  for  twenty  ?  Why 
you  rogue,  you  should  trudge  round  the  globe  for 
such  delicious  pay,  for  who  would  not  love  to  kiss 
such  dainty  dames.  I  hope  you  found  Miss  R  on 
your  return  as  beautiful  and  attractive  as  ever.  I 
am  informed  Miss  Young  is  about  to  be  married. 
As  you  live  but  a  few  doors  from  her,  present  my 
compliments.  You  do  not  tell  me  whether  Rush 
was  enrolled  among  the  gentlemen  of  the  long 
robe.  My  respects  to  him.  I  suppose  he  will 
take  a  second  degree  in  the  fall,  if  the  Scotchman 
comes  over  time  enough  to  preside  at  Commence 
ment,  when  I  expect  to  see  you  also.  With 
proper  respect  to  the  young  gentlemen  of  my  ac 
quaintance,  I  am,  Dr  Johnny,  yours  affectionately 

WM  PATERSON. 


55 


LETTER  XI 

Contains  more  about  CUPID 

Princeton  Sept  6  1768. 

MY  DEAR  JOHNNY:  I  am 
ashamed  really,  that  your  letter 
of  the  4th  of  last  month,  has 
remained  unanswered  so  long.  I 
thank  you  for  the  intelligence  concerning  Miss 
Young.  I  have  a  real  regard  for  that  young  lady, 
though  not  of  so  high  a  nature  as  you  intimate. 
Whether  married  or  unmarried,  my  warmest  wishes 
shall  attend  her.  But  do  you  think,  Jack,  that  I 
am  in  love  with  every  pretty  girl  I  see  ?  There  is 
scarcely  a  town  in  the  Province  in  which  they  tell 
me  I  have  not  a  Dulcinea  or  two.  I  wish  I  could 
say  of  my  girl,  be  she  who  she  will,  what  you  say 
of  yours,  that  I  have  as  much  of  her  kindness  as  I 
want.  What  a  happy  fellow  should  I  be  then !  I 
have  been  very  particular  in  enquiring  about  Miss 
R-dm-n,  and  find  she  must  be  a  most  charming 

56 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

creature.  Don't  be  jealous.  The  sole  reason  was  to 
become  well  acquainted  with  the  character  of  a 
young  lady,  on  whom  the  happiness  of  my  friend 
depends  so  greatly.  The  bulk  of  lovers  dote  on 
their  beloved  objects  to  such  a  degree,  as  to  render 
them  blind  to  any  imperfection.  This  is  why  I 
choose  to  rely  on  the  judgment  of  others  rather 
than  that  of  yours. — Pray,  Jack,  wait  on  her  to 
Commencement.  I  long  to  see  whether  she  is  so 
amiable  as  fame  reports :  so  much  for  Miss  Redman. 
— Last  Thursday  my  sister1  was  married  to  one 
Mr  Irwin,  so  that  the  truth  of  the  report  is  deter 
mined,  though  I  never  heard  any  thing  of  it  until 
you  mentioned  it  in  your  letter.  I  am,  Dr  Johnny, 

Yours  sincerely, 

WM  PATERSON. 

1  This  sister  was  Frances  Paterson. 


57 


LETTER  XII 

Contains  an  Account  of  Commencement 
at  Princeton 

Princeton  Nov  16,  1768. 

MY  DR  JOHNNY :   I  should  have 
wrote   by   Ogden1   had   I  known 
of  his  going  so  soon.     He  prom 
ised   to   accompany  me   to    Bur 
lington,  where  I  was  to  tarry  until  his  return  from 
Philadelphia,  but  Sergeant 2  offering  him  a  place  in 
his  chair,  the  rogue  had  the  grace  to  accept  it,  with- 

1  Captain  Robert  Ogden  belonged  to  a  prominent  Elizabeth- 
Town  family.      He  was  graduated   from  the   College  of  New 
Jersey  in  1765,  and  was  one  of  William  Paterson's  fellow-clerks 
in  the  office  of  Richard  Stockton. 

2  Jonathan  Dickinson  Sergeant,  a  grandson  of  President  Dick 
inson.      He  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in 
1762.      He  became  first  Attorney-General  of  Pennsylvania  after 
the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

58 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,    1766-1773 

out  so  much  as  acquainting  me.  You  see  I  had 
sufficient  reason  for  not  writing.  I  was  expecting 
a  letter  from  you  by  the  return  of  Ogden,  but  no, 
you  were  too  busy,  you  could  not  spare  a  moment, 
the  billiard  table  took  up  all  your  time,  you 
thought  indeed  of  writing  by  an  opportunity  so 
favorable,  but  could  not  possibly  disengage  your 
self  from  company,  and  so  hoped  I  might  excuse 
you  :  mighty  excusable  indeed  !  Why  Jack,  you 
are  a  most  provoking  fellow.  I  have  been  thinking 
what  method  would  be  most  likely  to  make  you  a 
punctual  correspondent,  and  apprehend  I  have  hit 
on  an  expedient  which  will  reform  you  entirely, 
and  most  assuredly  shall  put  in  motion,  unless  you 
mend  your  hand,  and  that  quickly.  If  you  prove 
so  remiss  in  the  future,  I  shall  have  to  write  at 
instead  of  to  you.  Don't  you  think  that  will  be 
attended  with  happy  effects  *?  Be  this  as  it  will,  I 
am  resolved  to  try  every  method  in  order  to  pro 
voke  you  to  be  more  speedy  in  your  answers  if 
possible  as  I  wish  you  had  been  at  Burlington  last 
week.  I  wanted  to  see  you  very  much.  Rush 
informed  me  why  you  did  not  attend  Commence 
ment,  and  I  assure  you  I  felt  sensibly  the  affliction 

59 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

stroke  which  stepped  in  to  retard  you.  I  am  glad 
the  consequence  was  not  so  bad  as  I  had  been  led 
to  fear,  for  I  am  informed  your  father  has  pretty 
well  recovered,  and  is  in  as  good  a  state  of  health, 
as  can  be  expected  reasonably.  I  should  have 
wrote  you  by  Rush,  or  some  other  acquaintance 
at  Commencement,  had  I  not  fairly  been  tired  out 
with  the  exercises  of  the  day.  Late  as  it  is,  had  I 
time  I  would  give  you  a  detail  of  Commencement, 
an  account  of  which,  no  doubt  you  have  seen  in 
the  papers,  but  not  in  all  things  conformable  to 
the  truth.  I  cannot  help  saying,  that  although  the 
bulk  of  the  young  men  made  a  handsome  appear 
ance,  yet  some  really  fell  short  of  the  expectation 
of  their  friends.  Last  week  I  applied  for  admis 
sion  into  practice,  which  was  granted  readily  after 
a  slight  examination,  but  I  must  go  again  before  I 
can  be  initiated  fully.  The  Governor  gives  the 
License,  and  all  that  remains  to  be  done,  is  to  wait 
for  the  coming  home  of  His  Excellency :  he  has 
been  at  Fort  Stanwix  for  some  time,  treating  with 
the  Indians.  Do  you  think,  Jack,  you  could  order 
matters  so  as  to  meet  me  at  Burlington?  If  you 
can,  pray  let  me  know,  and  I  will  appoint  the  day. 

60 


RICHARD    MONTGOMERY 
From  the  painting  by   Chappel 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

The  winter  season  will  set  in  soon,  and  so  the 
Governor  will  take  care  to  be  at  home  within  two 
or  three  weeks  at  the  farthest.     I  am  Dr  Jack 
Sincerely  Yours, 

WM.  PATERSON. 


61 


LETTER  XIII 

Contains  a   Reference    to  the   Illness    of 
WILLIAM   DAVIES 

PRINCETON,  Jany  zyth  1769. 

DR    SIR :     I   was    at    Burlington    on 
Thursday,    one    of    the    days    ap 
pointed,  but  was  so  unhappy  as  not 
to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you 
there.     The  roads  were  exceedingly  bad,  the  day 
lowering  and  cold,  which  for  your  sake,  made  me 
heartily  glad  that  you  did  not  venture  out,  though 
for  my  own,  I  could  not  forbear  wishing  that  you 
would.     Billy  Davies l  has  been  sick  with  the  pleu 
risy  ever  since  he  has  been  here,  though  now  he  is 
on  the  mending  hand,  and  I  believe  will  be  able 

1  William  Davies  was  the  eldest  son  of  President  Davies.  He 
was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1765.  In 
the  Revolution  he  attained  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  American 
army.  His  home  was  in  Norfolk,  Virginia,  where  he  prac 
tised  law. 

62 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

to  set  out  for  Elizabeth-Town  next  week  I  ex 
pected  a  letter  by  him,  but  was  disappointed,  and 
what  vexed  me  the  more  was,  that  it  is  six  weeks 
since  I  heard  from  you.  Adieu,  Dr  Sir,  and  be 
lieve  me  to  be,  Yours  Sincerely 

WM  PATERSON. 

To    MR    McPHERSON. 


LETTER  XIV 

Contains  more  Gossip  of  the  Times 

PRINCETON,  February  ijth  1769. 

MY  DR  SIR :   Yours  by  Dr  Scud- 
der l  has  just  come  to  hand,  and  as 
the   best   way   to   atone   for   past 
offences,  is   to   behave   better   for 
the  future,  so  I  have  took  up  the  pen  just  to  give 
you  a  specimen  of  my  reformation.     But  why  so 
censorious"?      Methinks  you  are  very  desirous  of 
shifting  the  blame  from  yourself,  for  on  my  con 
science,  I  believe  you  should  have  wrote  long  ere 
now,  especially  if  it  is  considered  you  are  in  arrears 
so  largely.     A  great  part  of  your  letter  is  unneces- 

1  Dr.  Nathaniel  Scudder,  a  prominent  physician  of  Monmouth 
County.  He  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in 
1751.  At  the  opening  of  the  Revolution  he  entered  actively 
into  public  life.  From  1777  to  1779  he  represented  New 
Jersey  in  the  Continental  Congress.  He  frequently  visited  the 
Stockton  family  of  Princeton. 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

sary,  altogether :  why  do  you  give  an  excuse  now 
for  not  writing  by  Ogden,  when  you  apologised  for 
it  two  months  ago?  But  I  shall  pass  over  this, 
remembering  now  what  Pope  says,  "Wits  have 
short  memories  and  dunces  none."  There  is  a 
line  or  two  quite  enigmatical,  absolutely  incompre 
hensible.  For  my  life,  I  cannot  understand  what 
you  say  about  the  Dutch  School.  Is  it  that  you 
are  learning  the  language,  or  as  I  am  inclined  to 
think,  a  cant  phrase  among  the  spirits  of  the 
town  ?  If  so,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  I  am  puz 
zled,  for  it  is  a  million  to  one,  if  it  extends  beyond 
the  purlieus  of  the  City.  What,  my  Jack,  not 
a  word  about  Miss  L-w-c  !  Surprising  indeed ! 
And  more  surprising  still,  not  a  word  about  Miss 
R-d-n.  Surely  I  imagined  your  letters  would  be 
filled  with  Loves  and  Darts  and  Flames  and  Ar 
rows.  Having  access  daily  to  the  shrine  of  your 
Divinity,  should  make  you  burst  forth  all  ecstacy 
and  song,  should  make  you  eloquent  in  praise  of 
your  Becky,  but  far  removed  from  my  charmer,  it 
cannot  be  expected  that  I  should  be  poetick  in 
any  way  in  praise  of  my  Nancy.  After  the  man 
ner  of  Swift,  we  may  "  Sing  Nancy  and  Becky  and 
5  6; 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Nancy." — I  shall  leave  Princeton  in  the  Spring, 
but  to  what  corner  of  the  Globe  I  know  not.  To 
live  at  ease,  and  pass  through  life  without  much 
noise  and  bustle  is  all  for  which  I  care,  or  wish. 
One  of  the  principal  things  I  regard  is,  to  be  situ 
ated  well  with  regard  to  friends,  and  without  flat 
tery  I  can  say,  the  nearer  to  you,  the  better,  for  I 
know  not  the  friend  in  the  world,  of  whom  I  can 
be  fonder  than  you.  But  be  the  distance  what  it 
will,  I  shall  be  incapable  of  forgetting  you.  You 
wish  me  success  if  I  do  not  cross  the  River. 
Rush  would  call  this  an  hypothetical  wish,  and  so 
worth  nothing.  If  I  settle  in  a  certain  part  of  the 
Jersies,  that  friends  would  persuade  me  to  do,  I 
shall  practise  undoubtedly  in  Pennsylvania.  Ser 
geant  urges  me  strongly,  though  indeed,  the  fees  in 
your  Province  are  trifling  compared  with  those  in 
ours.  A  large  inducement  to  crossing  the  River, 
will  be  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  now  and  then. 
My  compliments  to  Rush :  I  hear  he  drew  £  i  oo 
in  the  Lottery.  I  give  him  joy.  I  hear  also  he  is 
admitted  into  the  practice:  if  true,  I  give  him 
double  joy,  and  wish  him  success  wherever  he 
goes.  There  is  a  noble  wish,  not  confined  like 

66 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

yours,  but   unlimited,   like   Dan    Sheridan's   long 
nose.     I  am,  my  Dr  Sir,  Your  affectionate 

WM  PATERSON. 

To    MR    MACPHERSON.1 

1  This  is  the  first  letter  in  which  the  name  Macpherson  is 
properly  spelled. 


LETTER  XV 

Contains  Musings  on  Leaving  a  Boyhood 
Home 

PRINCETON,  May  zoth  1769. 

DR  SIR :  I  am  in  daily  expectation  of 
bidding  Adieu  to  Princeton  and  re 
moving    far    back    in    the    country, 
where  I  shall   live   mewed  up,  con 
versing  with  none  but  the  dead.     You  may  smile, 
but  I  assure  you  it  is  true.     It  pains  me  to  leave  a 
place,  where  I  have  spent  the  greatest  part  of  my 
life,  where  I  have  met  the  most  agreeable  friends, 
&  formed  the  most  valuable  connections.     I  never 
shall  think  of  Princeton  without  mingled  Emotions 
of  Pleasure  and  pain,  Pleasure  to  think  how  agree 
ably,  and  I  would  flatter  myself,  innocently,  I  past 
the  most  dangerous  part  of  Life,  Pain,  to  think 
these  Hours  and   those  days,  never  more  would 

68 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

return.  The  remembrance,  and  a  sad  one  it  is 
sometimes,  that  once  I  was  happy,  will  force  itself 
upon  me  now  and  then  in  spite  of  my  utmost 
efforts.  Were  you  to  see  me  in  one  of  those 
melancholy  fits,  when  so  much  Pensiveness  and 
Gloom  are  on  my  Brow,  you  would  swear  I  was 
the  Knight  of  the  Rueful  Countenance.  But 
drown  Sorrow,  for  I  am  tired  heartily  of  this  Bion 
Stile. — I  suppose  you  have  returned  by  this  time 
from  the  back  Courts,  and  hope  the  Excursion 
proved  agreeable.  You  informed  me  you  went  to 
"  please  Rush,  but  expected  to  find  something  more 
pleasing  than  purling  streams  or  blooming  Fields, 
or  even  the  noise  of  Courts,  rattling  with  the  Silver 
Sound  of  Dollars."  I  can  answer  you  only  in  the 
Words  of  Moliere's  doubting  Philosopher :  it  may 
be,  or  it  may  not  be,  as  all  Things  are  doubtful. 
But  do  you  think  really  it  is  so  difficult  to  guess 
what  this  pleasing  Something  is,  a  most  ravishing 
Something  no  doubt  that  recalls  the  pretty  lines 
of  Prior,  at  the  close  of  one  of  his  Fables,  to 
which  I  refer  without  quoting,  as  you  are  familiar 
with  his  Poetry.  But  I  must  not  be  too  curious 
about  prying  into  your  secrets,  for  it  may  partake 

69 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

of  the  Nature  of  one  of  the  occult  Qualities  of 
Aristotle,  and  so  will  stop  right  here.  Yours  Sin 
cerely, 

WM  PATERSON 
MR  MACPHERSON 


70 


LETTER  XVI 

Contains   an    Account  of  a   Search  for 
CUNNINGHAM'S  Dictionary 

NEW  BROMLEY,  July  z6th  1769. 

DR  SIR :  It  is  nearly  four  months  since 
I  have  been  favoured  with  a  Line : 
perhaps  you  have  wrote,  and  the 
Letter  has  been  unfortunate  in  its 
passage.  It  is  some  time  since  I  was  in  Princeton, 
where  you  may  remember,  I  asked  you  to  direct. 
Next  week  I  shall  be  at  Trenton  Court,  and  shall 
return  by  way  of  Princeton,  where  I  hope  to  hear 
from  you.  Capt  Ogden  is  just  ready  to  start  for 
Philadelphia,  and  therefore  I  must  be  short.  The 
main  design  of  this  Letter  is  to  be  informed, 
whether  any  of  the  Stationers  in  your  Place,  have 
Cunninghams  Law  Dictionary,  and  if  so  the  Price. 
I  have  deferred  purposely,  purchasing  a  Dictionary 
in  Hope  of  meeting  with  Cunninghams,  which  I 
am  told  is  far  from  being  a  despicable  performance. 

71 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Better  it  may,  but  worse  it  cannot  well  be  than 
Jacobs,  of  which  I  have  a  very  low  Opinion.  I 
am,  Dr  Sir,  Sincerely  Yours. 

WM  PATERSON. 
MR  MACPHERSON. 


72 


LETTER  XVII 

Contains    Reflections   on    the    Usefulness    of 
Beaux  and    Monkies  to  Lonely  People 

NEW  BROMLEY,  May  1st  1770. 

MY  DR  JOHNNY:  Opportunities 
of  writing  occur  so  rarely,  that  it 
is  very  inexcusable  to  let  them 
pass.  I  am  sincere,  and  never 
shall :  whether  you  are,  I  hardly  venture  to  say, 
though  if  I  must  speak,  it  would  be,  you  are  not. 
What  startled,  my  Jack  ?  You  need  not  be,  for 
I  do  not  impeach  your  friendship.  I  will  not  and 
cannot  question  your  affection :  indeed,  it  is  my 
interest  not  to  do  that,  as  it  would  only  give  us 
pain.  The  truth  is,  I  live  in  a  part  of  the  Province, 
destitute  almost  wholly  of  conversable  beings. 
Familiar  discourse,  and  even  what  the  fashionable 
world  calls  small  talk,  which  I  take  to  be  easy 
nonsense,  is  useless  to  persons  who  lead  a  sedentary 
life,  and  must  serve  by  way  of  relaxation,  when 

73 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

better  cannot  be  had.  A  gay,  good  natured  chatty 
fool,  a  sort  of  animal  often  met  in  your  town,  may 
be  amusing  for  a  few  moments,  but  the  misfortune 
is,  that  he  has  a  kind  of  adhesive  quality,  which 
makes  it  difficult  to  shake  him  off  at  pleasure.  A 
person  of  sense,  must  be  in  an  uncomfortable  situa 
tion  when  a  swarm  of  talkative  coxcombs  are 
buzzing  about  his  ears :  fly  from  them  he  cannot, 
for  to  show  their  good  breeding,  they  stick  to  him 
like  leeches :  to  get  angry  would  be  to  no  purpose, 
for  they  are  of  a  temper  so  easy  they  cannot  be 
provoked,  and  indeed  it  is  hard  to  tell  how  to  be 
vexed  at  good  nature,  even  when  lodged  in  the 
breast  of  a  fool.  Ah  Jack,  would  to  heaven  you 
could  toss  us  a  few  of  your  city  fools,  for  though 
we  have  dunces  enough  in  the  country,  yet  they 
are  far  from  being  so  merry  as  those  of  the  town. 
A  monkey  should  be  brisk,  and  the  more  diverting 
the  better.  Beaux  and  monkies,  and  such  kind  of 
creatures,  are  highly  serviceable  to  persons  of  a 
studious  and  lonely  turn  :  indeed  they  may  be,  and 
I  question  not  are  resorted  to  often,  for  the  same 
reason  that  most  of  the  European  Princes  have 
their  fools,  merely  to  provoke  mirth,  and  set  the 

74 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

laughing  faculties  in  motion.  Men  of  wisdom, 
will  fall  into  a  trifling  vein  at  times,  and  then,  vive 
la  bagatelle.  Observe  men  of  genius  when  they 
come  from  their  closets,  or  are  roused  out  of  a 
deep  study,  and  you  will  notice  them  say  and  do 
the  most  trifling  things.  In  their  most  unguarded 
moments,  you  would  not  think  them  of  a  superior 
order,  perhaps  not  equal  to  a  number  of  gay, 
lively  young  fellows  to  be  seen  at  any  public 
place,  for  to  trifle  agreeably,  often  is  the  talent  of 
a  coxcomb,  seldom  of  a  man  of  genius,  and  never 
of  a  person  who  leads  a  retired  life.  The  reason  is, 
this  is  an  accomplishment  only  to  be  gained  in  the 
fashionable  world,  and  therefore  it  is,  that  so  few 
of  extensive  knowledge  have  acquired.  Solitude 
is  congenial  to  learning,  conferring  no  grace  of 
manner  or  appearance,  but  the  reverse,  being  an 
offence  to  genteel  company.  A  fool  cannot  be  a 
fop,  for  the  profession  of  a  coxcomb  requires  both 
genius  and  tact  to  secure  success.  When  you 
reach  the  ground  floor  of  the  matter,  there  is  a 
school  of  fashion  and  folly,  as  well  as  of  philosophy 
and  science,  and  genius  will  shine  in  either.  It  is 
not  likely  however,  that  any  one  person  can  attain 

75 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

equal  eminence  in  both.  How  I  have  written  and 
wrote,  until  I  have  lost  sight  of  what  I  had  in  view 
at  first,  for  I  designed  to  explain  a  passage  in  the 
beginning  of  this  letter,  which  doubtless  you  re 
member  as  it  relates  to  yourself,  but  that  must  be 
deferred  till  my  next,  as  the  paper  is  run  out.  Give 
my  compliments  to  Rush,  and  believe  me  to  be, 
Dr  Johnny,  Yours  Forever, 

WM  PATERSON. 
MR  JOHN  MACPHERSON,  JUNR. 


76 


LETTER  XVIII 

Contains  an  Account  of  Some  Visionary 
LADIES 

NEW  BROMLEY,  July  27th  1770. 

DEAR  JACK.  I  am  fond  of  solitude, 
though  I  would  not  care  to  live  for 
ever  in  a  cave.  A  great  degree  of 
solitude  is  suited  only  to  contempla 
tive  minds,  and  even  men  of  the  most  solitary  turn, 
cannot  recline  eternally  in  its  shade.  The  pensive 
soul  that  feeds  on  grief,  and  seeks  no  sorrow  but 
its  own,  may  refrain  from  the  haunts  of  men,  may 
delight  to  listen  to  the  fall  of  waters,  and  joy  to 
wander  through  trackless  plains  and  sequestered 
groves.  Solemn  glooms,  lonesome  mansions,  and 
cheerless  shades,  likewise,  may  befit  those  whose 
cheeks  are  furrowed  with  age,  and  in  the  decline 
of  life,  may  be  called  very  properly,  Christian  Soli 
tude.  But  what  have  young  and  active  minds  to 
do  with  retreat  ?  To  run  in  the  bloom  of  youth 

77 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

to  nunlike  retirement,  is  unnatural  and  unsociable : 
to  take  leave  of  the  world,  to  make  an  exit  ere  yet 
we  have  made  an  appearance  scarcely  on  the  stage 
of  action,  is  absurd,  nay  worse,  for  it  is  treason 
against  mankind.  Every  person  should  spend  a 
small  part  of  his  time  in  solitude,  because  it  learns 
him  to  think,  and  that  great  lesson,  to  know  him 
self.  The  Greek  philosopher  put  sententiously 
what  each  one  knew  very  well  before.  Self 
knowledge  is  essential  to  happiness,  and  for  that 
purpose,  solitude  is  the  best  companion.  To  know 
others  is  necessary  in  order  to  act  well  our  part. 
Life  unemployed  is  a  useless  boon.  But  some 
professions,  and  that  of  law  especially,  demand 
more  than  ordinary  retirement,  because  interruption 
must  be  attended,  more  or  less,  with  dissipation  of 
thought.  The  study  of  this  profession,  is  dis 
agreeable  and  dry,  particularly  to  a  beginner. 
Naturally,  this  branch  of  learning  is  unpalatable, 
and  a  certain  degree  of  solitude,  as  promoting 
contemplation,  is  of  value,  for  regulating  and 
modulating  the  work.  Extremes  should  be 
avoided.  A  bow  long  bent,  loses  its  spring,  so 
application  long  continued,  jades  the  fancy, 

78 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

weakens  the  judgment,  and,  if  the  expression  may 
be  used,  unnerves  the  man.  Close  attention  creates 
a  sort  of  vis  inertias  in  the  intellectual  world,  as 
philosophy  says  there  is  in  the  material,  and  relaxa 
tion  becomes  necessary.  My  situation  here  is  irk 
some  on  this  account  and  this  only,  that  there  is 
scarcely  any  amusement  to  which  I  can  resort, 
when  wearied  with  study  or  tired  with  work. 
What  shall  I  do  to  recruit  exhausted  nature  ?  I 
take  up  Swift,  and  by  his  humour,  hope  to  find 
relief,  but  reading  is  the  cause  of  my  complaint. 
It  is  absurd  surely  to  think  of  removing  the  effect, 
by  continuing  the  cause.  No  relaxation,  no 
amusement,  sad  indeed !  Ah  Jack,  how  often  do 
I  wish  for  your  presence  to  brighten  the  gloomy 
scene.  My  chiefest  joy,  my  best  medicine  is  to 
think  of  an  absent  friend,  or  I  will  say  it  myself, 
for  you  will  be  roguish  enough  to  do  it,  muse  an 

encomium  on  Miss .     The  latter  is  ideal  and 

vision  all.  My  Ladies  are  quixotical,  purely  im 
aginary,  and  have  no  more  reality  than  the  dreams 
of  a  Poet,  or  the  schemes  of  a  Projector.  It  is 
easy  to  form  a  visionary  Amanda,  that  shall  excel 
the  Venus  of  Medicis  in  beauty :  give  full  play  to 

79 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

the  imagination,  and  the  work  is  done.  What  an 
happy  fellow  would  you  be,  had  your  Girl,  your 
Miss  Patty,  or  Peggy,  or  Polly,  half  the  good 
qualities  of  my  imaginary  little  Beauty.  I  have 
been  running  over  one  in  fancy  just  now,  and 
thought  it  would  shine  in  song,  or  tell  well  even  in 
a  letter,  and  so  give  it  to  you,  but  faith  Jack,  on 
considering  it  fully,  I  find  it  but  an  exact  descrip 
tion  of  Miss  you  know  who.  When  sick 

of  reading  or  writing,  I  call  in  Fancy,  and  pass  my 
friends  in  review  before  me,  an  occupation  agree 
able  and  useful,  as  fixing  their  memory  deeper  in 
my  heart,  and  as  operating  by  way  of  relaxation. 
Is  it  ever  thus  with  you  ?  Does  the  ideal  presence 
of  absent  friends  rise  up  to  your  view  ?  Doubtful, 
Jack,  very  doubtful.  But  should  you  once  in  a 
while  give  a  sober  view  to  meditation  and  serious 
though tfulness,  should  you  fall  now  and  then  in  a 
musing  vein,  and  call  up  the  remembrance  of  an 
absent  friend,  yet  the  lively  flutter  of  a  fan,  or  the 
rustling  of  the  first  petticoat  that  brushes  before 
you,  would  wake  you  in  a  moment  from  your 
dream.  Your  situation  is  gay,  sprightly,  cheerful : 
mine  gloomy,  solitary,  sad.  Pleasure  courts  you 

80 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

in  a  thousand  different  ways,  while  I  have  but  one 
solitary  walk  to  pursue.  You  think  seldom  of 
friends,  I  often :  you  think  seldom  of  me,  I  often 
of  you.  Our  different  situations  naturally  lead  us 
to  do  so.  Hence  the  reason  of  what  I  said  in 
some  of  my  late  letters.  But  why  run  out  the 
parallel  ?  It  is  time  to  close,  which  I  do  by  saying 
this  letter  is  very  long,  very  sober,  very  dull,  and  I 
may  write  many  more  such,  unless  you  prohibit  it. 
I  am,  my  dear  Jack,  ever  your  affectionate, 

WM  PATERSON. 
MR  JOHN  MACPHERSON,  JUNR,  PHILA. 


81 


LETTER  XIX 

Contains  Accounts  of  Philadelphia  Beauties 
and  a  Eulogium  on  a  Woodland  Nymph 

NEW  BROMLEY  July  3Oth  1770. 

I  AM  all  Musick,  Jack,  and  write  in  a  melo 
dious  Humour.  The  Hour  in  which 
every  sweet  and  lively  Passion  is  in  Play, 
should  be  consecrated  to  Friendship,  un 
less  the  still  more  soft  and  tender  Feelings  of  Love 
should  lay  claim  to  it.  Your  little  Hermit  is  cap 
tivated,  and  in  Danger  of  being  lost  forever.  The 
Sound  of  Harmony  still  jingles  in  my  Ears,  and 
never  till  this  instant  did  I  know  the  full  Force  of 
Love.  You  boast  of  your  Philadelphia  Beauties, 
but  I  venture  to  say,  you  may  search  the  City  and 
not  find  a  Nymph  so  engaging.  Neither  your 
enchanting  Peggy  with  all  her  Delicacy,  nor  your 
adored  Patty  with  all  her  Charms,  can  equal  my 
Woodland  Maid.  She  is  purely  rural,  and  cannot 
bear  the  noise  and  tumult  of  a  City :  she  flies  to 

82 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

the  Country,  and  dwells  in  the  midst  of  a  Grove, 
among  Caves  and  Rocks.  She  delights  in  Sim 
plicity,  and  is  fond  of  the  still  Hour  of  Evening. 
It  costs  a  World  of  Trouble  to  woo  a  City  Dame, 
but  it  is  the  easiest  Thing  in  Nature  to  court 
my  Country  Lass.  One  is  all  obliging  and 
familiar,  the  other,  forbidding  and  reserved.  She 
is  gay  when  I  am  gay  and  sad  when  I  am  sad. 
She  catches  and  returns  my  Passion,  and  her  Tone 
and  Temper  always  accord  with  mine.  Don't  you 
think  Hours  must  run  away  pleasantly  with  such 
a  Companion?  Her  vocal  Quality  being  admi 
rable,  makes  me  fond  of  listening  to  her  Talk,  and 
I  assure  you  she  was  more  enchanting  than  ever 
to-day :  she  ravished  me,  but  it  was  as  Wycherly 
says,  with  her  Voice,  which  was  Musick  itself. 
Her  name  is  Echo,  or  the  vocal  Nymph.  The 
Truth  is,  two  Gentlemen  of  my  Acquaintance,  on 
their  rambles  came  to  my  Hermitage  and  spent  a 
Day  or  two  with  me,  one  being  skilled  in  Musick, 
and  having  a  Flute,  entertained  the  Company  very 
agreeably,  but  to  add  to  the  Pleasure,  insisted  we 
should  hunt  up  an  Echo,  which  we  did,  and  found 
one  of  very  full  Tone  and  Quality.  I  never  heard 

83 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

any  thing  more  enchantingly  harmonious :  he  was 
an  excellent  Player,  and  the  Place  suited  so  hap 
pily,  that  every  Note  was  returned  back  most 
distinctly. — Your  Letter  of  the  24th  received  yes 
terday  at  Meeting,1  is  a  convincing  Proof,  that 
you  can  get  up  a  respectable  document  in  that 
line,  if  you  give  the  whole  of  your  Mind  to  it. 
You  have  combined  admirably  much  News  and 
Politicks  in  it.  I  should  like  to  have  been  present 
when  the  Resolves  about  the  Yorkers  were  passed, 
principally  to  hear  the  young  Gentleman  you 
mention,  play  the  Orator.  Some  of  his  Talents 
are  well  known,  but  what  sort  he  was  at  Elo 
quence  I  will  not  say.  I  have  read  somewhere,  in 
Swift  I  think,  that  "  Fluency  of  Speech  is  owing  to 
Scarcity  of  Matter  and  Words,  for  Men  who  have 
but  one  Sett  of  Ideas,  and  one  Sett  of  Words  to 
clothe  them,  never  are  at  a  loss  to  express  them 
selves  :  whereas  they  who  have  a  Variety,  often 
are  puzzled  to  make  a  Choice."  The  Remark  is 

1  The  "meeting"  at  which  he  received  the  letter  was  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Lamington,  one  of  the  earliest  churches 
erected  in  that  portion  of  New  Jersey.  The  original  building 
remained  standing  until  1826. 

84 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

just,  and  I  find  it  true  from  frequent  Observation. 
Therefore  I  do  not  doubt  the  C-m-r  has  a  glib 
Tongue,  and  rattled  on  fluently  enough,  or  as 
Johnny  Forrest,  another  of  those  eternal  Chatter 
ers,  said  of  one  of  the  College  Speakers,  "he 
orated  in  a  copious  manner."  I  follow  the  Order 
of  your  Letter,  and  so  "now  for  something  by 
way  of  Reflection."  You  have  chosen  a  most 
beautiful  Object  for  that  Purpose.  Miss  Chea- 
tham  of  Trenton  is  so  handsome  and  genteel, 
that  I  must  pause  to  contemplate  in  Fancy,  her 
many  and  ravishing  Charms.  Harmony  of  Shape 
combines  with  Gracefulness  of  Mien,  which  with 
Sweetness  of  Voice,  Mildness  of  Aspect,  Delicacy 
of  Shape,  and  the  languishing  Softness  of  smiling 
Eyes,  have  made  that  Heart  of  yours,  Dear  Jack, 
to  flutter  and  beat  as  if  it  would  break  out  from 
the  Fastness  of  your  Breast.  Who  loves  her  best, 
can  best  describe  her  as  she  is,  her  Charms,  Attrac 
tions,  Graces,  all,  and  so  I  resign  the  agreeable 
Task  to  you.  But  you  must  appreciate  this  spon 
taneous  and  enthusiastic,  though  entirely  disinter 
ested  Tribute  to  Beauty  that  can  win  Admiration, 
without — well  you  know  exactly  how  to  fill  out 

85 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

the  sentence  without  the  words  being  set  down  in 
black  and  white  by  me.  My  time  is  not  as  yet. 
When  that  shall  come,  if  it  ever  does,  I  hope  to  be 
more  worthy  in  all  respects  than  I  am  now.  Still 
neither  Fame  or  Fortune  can  wait  on  the  Laggard. 
This  is  a  parenthetical  "  Reflection,"  not  quite 
Apropos.  Please  mark  it  so.  Did  I  see  her  on 
my  Journey  to  Princeton4?  No,  for  I  was  so 
tired  &  out  of  Tune  on  reaching  Trenton,  that  I 
had  to  rest.  Next  week  is  Hunterdon  Court :  I 
shall  be  at  Trenton  again  and  hope  to  have  a  sight 
of  your  Charmer,  simply  as  an  admirer :  if  so  I  will 
take  occasion  to  introduce  your  name,  and  let  you 
know  how  it  took  !  You  may  see  England  in  the 
Fall,  and  ask  can  I  go  with  you.  That  would 
give  me  real  Pleasure.  A  few  years  hence  I  may 
go  there,  but  fear  I  cannot  at  present.  I  wish  we 
could  arrange  to  go  together  when  that  time  does 
come.  However,  should  you  resolve  on  going,  I 
will  consider  the  Matter  more  fully,  as  your  Com 
pany  would  add  to  the  Pleasure  of  the  Trip. — 
With  this,  you  will  receive  another  long  Letter 
written  previously.  These  will  convince  you,  that 
no  charming  Nymph,  no  tender  Von  Brisket  of 

86 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

half  a  Ton  in  Weight  or  half  a  Pole  in  Circumfer 
ence,  made  me  forgetful  of  my  little  City  Friend. 
That  is  a  vile  Insinuation  of  yours  against  my  fair 
Country-women,  but  I  notice  it  no  farther  at  pres 
ent.  I  am,  my  very  Dear  Johnny, 
Yours  For  Ever, 

WM   PATERSON. 
MR  MACPHERSON. 


LETTER  XX 

Contains  a  Treatise  on  the  Value  of  Good 
FAMILY 

PRINCETON,  November  I2th  1771. 

DEAR  JACK :  Supposing  you  are  in 
London,  as  being  not  only  the  place 
you  had  in  view  originally,  but  also 
where  you  Scotsmen  have  an  admi 
rable  Knack  of  getting  there  as  fast  as  you  can,  I 
can  write  with  some  assurance  of  a  letter  reaching 
you.  Your  people  seem  to  be  attracted  thither 
either  by  an  instinctive  faculty,  or  a  desire  for 
wealth  or  preferment.  You  hardly  have  sufficient 
Caledonian  blood,  to  call  you  true  blue,  and  what 
little  may  be  in  your  veins,  has  been  purified  by 
your  residence  on  this  side  of  the  waters.  I  have  a 
filial  affection  for  Scotland,  and  lose  all  patience 
when  I  hear  people  rail  against  it.  I  have  the  hap 
piness  or  unhappiness,  as  you  may  please,  of  being 
part  of  a  Scotsman  myself,  for,  and  I  don't  care 
who  knows  it,  my  grand  father  or  great  grand 
father,  was  born  and  rocked  in  that  part  of  the 

88 


LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Isles,  which  is  sufficient  in  all  conscience  to  entitle 
me  to  the  name.  At  times  I  glory  in  being  a 
Scotchman,  though  perhaps,  I  should  say  that 
vanity  never  swells  so  high  as  when  I  think  my 
self  of  Scotch  origin.  Wise  ones  indeed  laugh  at 
birth  as  being  of  trifling  nature,  and  not  at  all  mat 
ter  for  boast.  Whoever,  say  they,  thought  highly 
of  noble  birth  that  had  any  good  quality  beside, 
and  whoever,  say  I,  thought  lightly  of  it,  but  he 
that  really  wanted  it.  A  man  prefers  that  his  an 
cestors  should  be  somebodies  rather  than  nobodies, 
even  though  they  can  occupy  but  the  small  lot 
of  land  in  the  end.  The  largest  Empire  is  under 
ground,  and  the  population  has  been  increasing 
ever  since  life  was  breathed  into  the  world  and 
death  was  breathed  out.  Emigration  is  unknown 
in  that  Kingdom.  The  truth  is,  we  live  in  an  ill- 
natured  world:  they  who  have  not  virtue  envy 
those  who  have.  It  is  a  common  expression,  such 
a  one  is  well  bred :  is  it  not  to  the  full  as  proper  to 
say,  such  a  one  is  well  born  ?  It  must  I  think,  be 
very  pleasing  for  every  true  Scotsman,  such  as  you 
and  I  to  reflect  that  he  is  descended  as  Churchill 
says,  "From  great  and  glorious,  though  perhaps 

89 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

forgotten  Kings."  But  aside  from  digression, 
Jack,  you  are  a  traveller  now :  as  such  you  are  to 
answer  what  questions  I  put,  and  tell  what  lies  you 
please.  I  shall  not  enquire  into  the  manners  of 
the  Scots,  their  genius,  customs,  laws,  manufac 
tories,  etc.,  because  it  cannot  be  expected  you  can 
answer  them.  But  on  the  whole,  I  will  reserve 
the  queries  for  a  future  letter,  as  my  paper  is 
giving  out,  and  I  have  been  busy  here  all  the  day, 
merely  hoping  that  you  have  escaped  the — well 
say  scraches  and  all  other  nameless  ills  hereditary 
to  your  countrymen,  and  that  nothing  more  dis 
agreeable  has  befallen  you  than  a  little  dirt,  which 
would  be  getting  off  wonderfully  well.  Princeton 
is  much  the  same,  and  I  have  only  room  to  add, 
by  way  of  news,  that  about  two  weeks  ago,  young 
Dr  Barnet1  was  married  to  a  Miss  Stow ;  you  may 
know  who  she  is.  Yours  Sincerely, 

WM  PATERSON. 
JOHN  MACPHERSON,  JUNR.  ESQ. 

1  Dr.  William  M.  Barnet.  With  his  wife  he  later  removed 
from  Princeton  to  Elizabeth-Town,  where  he  built  the  house 
subsequently  occupied  for  many  years  by  General  Winfield  Scott. 
Philip  Freneau,  the  Revolutionary  poet,  wrote  a  tributary  ode  on 
the  death  of  the  virtuous  Mrs.  Barnet. 

90 


g    5 


LETTER  XXI 

Contains  Pictures  of  ENGLISH  Society  and 
College  Society 

PRINCETON,  June   2 6th    1772 

DEAR  JACK:  Laziness  only  has 
prevented  me  from  writing:  noth 
ing  else.  I  am  ashamed  that  I 
have  written  but  once  since  you 
sailed.  Are  you  disposed  to  think  I  have  for 
gotten  you  entirely,  or  that  absence  has  abated 
the  warmth  of  my  affection k?  Dismiss  the  thought. 
My  regard  is  as  great  and  sincere  as  at  any  time 
during  our  former  intimacy.  That  I  have  been 
silent  so  long  impute  to  business,  to  laziness  to 
any  thing  but  want  of  affection. — Your  two  let 
ters  of  3oth  September  and  14th  February  are 
at  hand,  and  I  am  obliged  for  your  particularity. 
Do  so  in  the  future,  for  with  the  rest  of  mankind, 
I  confess  to  be  fond  of  whatever  is  wonderful  or 
new.  Curiosity  is  craving,  and  implanted  in  every 

91 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

breast.  Anecdotes  of  persons  in  eminent  stations, 
or  famed  for  ability,  are  listened  to  with  attention, 
&  indeed  seem  to  be  universally  pleasing.  I  would 
be  glad  for  you  to  give  a  character  &  description 
of  Mansfield,  Camden,  Burke,  Barre,  Woodburn, 
Dunning  Etc.  Mansfield  always  has  been  high 
in  my  esteem :  as  a  genius  and  a  speaker,  he  is 
universally  admired.  I  am  told  he  has  a  mouth, 
if  I  may  so  express  it,  finely  hung  for  elocution, 
and  that  he  seldom  speaks  without  carrying  con 
viction.  As  a  lawyer,  he  is  censured  by  some  for 
his  principle  of  equitising,  which  he  stretches 
rather  too  far.  He  has  an  assemblage  of  graces 
and  qualities  rarely  to  be  found  in  one  man,  a 
comely  person,  a  charming  voice,  and  a  fine 
genius.  Of  Burke  we  know  little  but  as  a  writer : 
his  person,  like  that  of  Blackstone,  I  am  told,  is 
diminutive,  and  his  appearance  ungracious.  His 
chief  beauty  is  energy,  his  chief  fault  want  of  ease. 
Norton  has  given  several  opinions  in  cases  re 
specting  land  in  this  Province.  I  have  met  with 
some,  but  worded  so  obscurely,  that  it  was  im 
possible  to  understand  them.  I  have  seen  an 
opinion  or  two  of  Widderburne,  in  his  own  hand- 

92 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

writing,  penned  with  peculiar  elegance  and  accuracy. 
Were  I  in  England,  I  would  collect  anecdotes  of 
persons  eminent  for  station,  learning,  and  genius. 
Hardly  anything  is  sought  after  more  here,  or  ren 
ders  a  person  more  agreeable  in  conversation. — In 
writing  now,  you  cannot  want  for  matter,  for  every 
thing  wears  the  face  of  novelty,  the  country,  the 
people,  their  manners,  their  divisions  and  even  their 
dress,  have  in  them  something  new.  So  if  your 
letters  are  not  of  a  decent  length,  it  will  be  owing 
merely  to  laziness,  as  no  one  can  accuse  you  of  want 
of  a  mind.  Did  I  live  in  Philadelphia,  my  letter 
might  be  more  entertaining,  though  not  more  sin 
cere.  I  could  tell  of  your  Becky  and  your  Peggy, 
and  a  score  or  too  more  of  girls,  or  rather  goddesses 
you  were  wont  to  adore.  It  is  likely  a  new  race  of 
beauties  have  possessed  your  heart, for  English  Ladies 
are  handsome,  and  you  are  amorous.  Perhaps  you 
may  marry  before  you  return :  if  you  do,  Jack, 
pray  let  your  mate  be  gentle  and  goodnatured, 
amiable,  and  genteel,  qualities,  which  cannot,  like 
beauty,  be  withered  by  time,  nor  like  reputation, 
blasted  by  slander.  Nothing  is  more  intolerable 
than  a  handsome  fool,  except  it  be  a  fury  or  a  scold. 

93 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

I  am  tempted  almost  to  foreswear  matrimony,  and 
take  a  vow  of  perpetual  celibacy.  The  bulk  of 
women  are  eaten  up  so  cursedly  with  pride  and 
affectation,  and  so  ignorant  and  illnatured  withall, 
that  it  is  almost  impossible  to  live  with  them. 
We  have  a  number  of  pretty  girls  here  now,  a  new 
race  of  beauties,  Jack,  since  you  left  it.  I  meet 
them  rarely.  If  you  were  here  for  a  day  or  two,  I 
am  sure  you  would  be  diverted.  A  scholar  in  love 
is  very  asinine.  Were  you  here  I  could  give  you 
a  description  of  some  of  the  girls,  and  character  of 
some  of  their  lovers,  and  private  anecdotes  of  both, 
that  would  afford  you  infinite  amusement  and 
diversion.  The  College  always  has  teemed  with 
fools  of  this  cast,  there  were  enough  of  them  in  all 
conscience  when  we  were  in  it,  and  mercy  on  me, 
the  breed  has  increased  surprisingly  of  late. — The 
Governor  of  Penna  has  married  Miss  Masters : 
doubtless  you  Know  his  Rib.  Some  say  she 
is  handsome,  some,  passably,  and  some,  quite 
homely.  Thirty  thousand  Pounds  are  thirty  thou 
sand  charms.  Young  Meredith  is  married  to  Miss 
Cadwalader,  the  very  Nymph  you  used  to  make  so 
great  a  clatter  about.  Love  makes  fools  of  all. 

94 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

I  begin  to  fear  it  is  impossible  to  reason  it  down. 
In  your  fits  of  the  kind  you  used  to  call  her  your 
enchanting  Peggy,  and  sing  of  her  to  the  tune  of 
"  The  Lass  With  The  Delicate  Air."     Jack  Tay 
lor,  Willings  partner,  is  married  to  Miss  Huston ; 
so  much  for  news  in  the  matrimonial  way. — You 
may  have  heard  that  young  Waller  has  forsaken 
the  law,  because  he  found  it  difficult  for  an  honest 
man  to  be  a  lawyer.     Some  extol  his  action  as  a 
noble  sacrifice  to  the  cause  of  virtue  and  religion, 
while  others  attribute  his  conduct  to  a  disordered 
intellect.     All  I  know  of  the  matter  is  from  pub- 
lick  fame,  and  she,  like  other  females,  is  so  arrant  a 
liar,  that  it  is  hard  to  know  when  to  believe  her. 
It  is  certain   however  that   he   has   declined   the 
practice,  and  the  opening  now  is  fine,  the  best  in 
the  Colonies.    Dickinson  and  Galloway  are  ridding 
themselves  of  business,  and  one  of  your  capacities 
might  get  into  a  handsome  practice  at  a  jump.     I 
wish  you  were  here  to  do  so. — Weeks,  the  Pro- 
thonotary  of  Bucks  is  dead.     John  Berrien,  a  Jus 
tice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Jersies,  drowned 
himself  in  April:   the  jury   found   lunacy. — My 
compliments  to  Rush :  he  has  forgotten  his  promise 

95 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

to  write,  but  then  he  lives  nigh  the  Court. — That 
application  has  been  made  in  England  for  an 
American  Episcopate  is  known  here.  The  news 
papers  are  full  of  it.  The  Dissenters  are  so  jealous 
of  each  other,  it  is  not  likely  they  will  unite  and 
petition  against  it,  or  if  they  did,  it  is  a  million  to 
one  if  that  would  not  promote  rather  than  pre 
vent  the  scheme.  The  Bishops  and  Thirty  nine 
Articles  have  been  censured  so  severely  in  the  Uni 
versity  of  Cambridge  and  the  late  debates  in  Par 
liament,  that  it  is  to  be  hoped  those  Reverend 
Fathers  will  find  full  employment  at  home,  with 
out  intermeddling  in  the  politicks  of  America. 
I  am  satisfied,  that  in  the  Colonies,  few  of  the 
Church  of  England,  except  those  who  are  stiled 
High-Fliers,  espouse  the  cause,  or  are  in  the  least 
desirous  of  succeeding.  In  the  Southern  Prov 
inces,  composed  principally  of  people  in  commu 
nion  with  the  Church  of  England,  a  Bishop  would 
meet  with  the  severest  opposition. — Pray  what  is 
the  Macaroni  Club  ?  I  am  told  it  is  made  up  of 
noblemen,  who  meet  to  invent  fashions,  etc.  A 
laudable  institution  truly.  Doctor  Morgan  is  in 
Jamaica  soliciting  donations  to  the  College,  or  as 

96 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

he  stiles  it  in  his  address,  the  University  of  Phila 
delphia.  Dr  Williamson  is  in  the  same  place,  in 
behalf  of  the  Newark  School,  and  the  Revd  Baily 
has  gone  to  the  West  India  Islands  in  favor  of  the 
Jersey  College.  My  best  respects  wait  on  your 
father.  I  am,  Dr  Jack,  most  affectionately  yours 

WM  PATERSON. 
JOHN  MACPHERSON,  JUNR,  ESQ.,  LONDON. 


97 


LETTER  XXII 

Contains    an    Imaginary    PICTURE    of  a 
Fashionable  MAN  in  London 

PRINCETON,  September  4th  1772. 

DEAR  JACK :  In  my  last  I  promised 
to  write  again  soon,  and  I  like  to 
keep  my  word,  but  really,  Jack, 
there  is  nothing  to  tell.  It  is  easy 
to  write  if  matter  is  ready,  but  it  goes  mightily 
against  the  grain,  for  a  person  who  has  a  spice  of 
laziness  in  his  composition,  and  no  way  of  spin 
ning  out  a  letter,  than  by  invoking  Fancy.  Lazy 
as  I  am  however,  it  does  not  prevent  me  from 
thinking  of  you  frequently,  though  it  may  of 
writing.  At  the  call  of  Fancy,  your  image  often 
comes  up,  and  hope  which  revels  through  life,  and 
brightens  every  prospect,  aided  by  a  disposition 
that  makes  us  ready  to  believe  whatever  we  desire, 
dresses  up  your  friendly  figure  in  the  most  flat 
tering  colours.  Sometimes  you  appear  among 

98 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

the  beau-monde,  frequenting  play  houses,  operas 
and  balls,  a  professed  admirer  of  every  fashionable 
amusement,  now  sauntering  along  the  Mall,  or 
taking  a  turn  in  St.  James,  not  so  much  for  the 
walk  as  the  women,  and  strange  medley  of  mortals 
to  be  seen  in  such  places ;  sometimes  a  connoisseur 
in  shells,  in  musty  medals  and  Egyptian  Mum 
mies,  a  virtuoso.  Sometimes  I  follow  you  to  your 
chamber,  view  you  revolving  on  some  abstruse 
point  of  law,  poring  over  dry  pages  of  the  great 
Masters :  now  a  politician  deep  in  mysteries  of 
state,  adjusting  the  balance  of  Europe,  and  betting 
on  war  or  peace,  on  the  life  or  death  of  Princes. 
Sometimes — but  there  is  no  end  to  the  vagaries  of 
Fancy.  There  are  ten  thousand  ways  of  killing 
time  in  England  unknown  here.  When  tired  of 
myself,  and  every  thing  around  me,  I  seek  my  pil 
low,  and  invoking  the  God  of  Sleep,  endeavor  to 
sink  into  oblivion,  "the  world  forgetting,  by  the 
world  forgot."  This,  with  respect  to  others  at 
least,  is  an  inoffensive  way  of  getting  rid  of  the 
moments  that  hang  heavy  upon  me.  If  there  is 
nothing  to  employ  a  vacant  hour,  surely  it  is  far 
better  to  glide  along  quietly,  reclining  in  the  lap 

99 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

of  sleep,  than  to  plan  schemes  detrimental  to 
others,  though  perhaps  advantageous  to  self.  This 
naturally  to  closing  this  letter,  which,  I  doubt  not, 
will  prove  quite  tiresome  to  the  reader.  I  am,  dr 
Jack,  yours  sincerely,  WM  PATERSON. 

October  1 2th :  The  above  has  not  been  sent  for 
want  of  an  opportunity  until  now.  I  live  so  much 
in  the  country,  that  London  vessels  come  and  go 
without  my  knowledge.  I  shall  endeavor  to  make 
some  sure  arrangement  for  forwarding  letters  in  the 
future. — News,  The  Revd.  J.  Halsey  was  married 
about  two  weeks  ago  to  a  certain  Polly  Henry, 
one  of  his  parishioners,  a  young  lady  of  sixteen, 
one  of  the  sightliest,  most  gay  and  showy  girls  in 
his  congregation.  He  is  forty,  it  is  January  wed 
to  July.  Rush  arrived  about  three  weeks  ago. 
He  had  no  letter  for  me :  pray  why  did  not  you 
write  by  him?  Had  I  omitted  so  fair  an  oppor 
tunity  I  should  think  myself  inexcusable.  Per 
haps  I  have  not  written  as  often  as  I  might. 

WM  PATERSON. 


IOO 


LETTER  XXIII 

Contains  the  last  on  the  Subject  of  LOVE 
and  Miss  REBECCA  REDMAN 

September  I5th  1773. 

YOUR  letter  shows  you  to  be  in  high 
spirits,  Jack,  though  what  set  you  in 
so  pleasing  a  flow,  is  hard  to  tell, 
for  you  say  business  is  not  extra 
ordinary  as  yet.  Business,  especially  in  the  Law 
way,  seldom  is  at  first :  it  increases  little  by  little : 
its  progress  is  slow  &  gradual.  I  know  of  no 
young  lawyer,  unless  abetted  by  a  Party  of  In 
fluence,  that  has  any  great  run  of  Practice.  Have 
Patience :  the  Prospect  will  brighten  as  you  ad 
vance  in  Life.  I  imagine  Miss  R-dm-n  has 
been  playing  off  her  charms.  In  my  Conscience,  I 
believe  she  bewitches  every  one  who  looks  at  her. 
A  Smile  makes  you  as  airy  as  a  Bee,  but  her  Frown 
— ah  there  is  the  Devil,  she  can  frown  too  as  well 
as  smile — throws  you  into  a  melancholy  Frame 

IOI 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

and  that  brings  on  the  Hip.  Here  is  an  Ideal  of 
you  in  so  piteous  a  Case.  Miss  says  something 
clever  in  favor  of  a  Rival,  for  Beauties  are  inclined 
wickedly  that  way,  something  ill  natured  against 
yourself.  A  Fit  of  the  Spleen  is  on  her,  her  Head 
Dress  is  awry,  or  her  Lap-Dog  is  dead,  or  she  was 
not  invited  to  a  Party,  or  something  of  equal  Im 
portance  comes  in  the  Way,  and  makes  her  look 
gloomy  as  Night.  Well  what  shall  be  done  to  rid 
her  Ladyship  of  the  Poutts  ?  You  play  over  all  your 
old  Tricks,  but  in  vain,  and  as  you  retire,  she  gives 
you  an  angry  Look,  with  a  Frown  that  does  not 
become  her  Beauty.  So  you  go  home  melancholy 
Mad,  and  mope  and  mux,  and  sigh,  or  rail,  and  rave 
and  storm.  But  a  few  days  of  this  is  sufficient,  and 
when  you  next  wait  on  the  Nymph,  you  find  her 
in  high  good  Humour,  receiving  you  kindly,  and 
chiding  you  perhaps  for  staying  away  so  long. 
She  is  all  smiles  and  Goodness,  soft,  languishing, 
kind,  you  all  rapture.  I  imagine  on  your  return 
from  Miss  R.  with  whom  you  had  a  most  happy 
Interview  that  set  you  in  a  flow  of  good  humour, 
you  wrote  the  Letter  you  sent  last.  In  such  a 
Case,  it  is  expected  you  should  put  others  in  the 

102 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

like  temper.  When  I  saw  my  Blousalind  last,  she 
had  a  touch  of  the  Spleen  too,  for  Country  Girls, 
you  know,  are  mighty  Fashion-Mongers  and  Bodies 
for  Imitation,  and  take  on  Airs  as  well  as  your 
City  Madams.  But  these  set  so  awkwardly  upon 
them,  and  make  them  appear  so  ungracious,  that  it 
is  hard  to  tell  whether  to  laugh  or  be  angry.  Why 
what  the  murrain  hath  come  over  you,  Blousalind  ? 
Have  you  been  saying  Prayers,  or  thinking  over 
the  last  Sermon,  or  setting  your  Face  for  the  next  ? 
In  this  Letter  a  young  Friend  just  from  England, 
requests  a  Favour,  in  a  manner  so  Genteel,  that  it 
cannot  fail  of  being  granted.  See  how  prettily  he 
writes.  What  say  you  Blousalind?  Do  be  good- 
natured  and  give  your  consent.  How  came  this 
Friend  of  yours  to  Know  anything  of  me.  Oh 
as  for  that,  I  can  satisfy  your  Ladyship  easily,  for 
faith,  I  told  him  myself.  Told  him  yourself!  and 
pray  what  did  you  tell  him,  something  pretty,  I 
suppose :  come  let  me  hear  it.  Positively,  I  will 
not  consent  unless  you  do.  The  unreasonable 
Jade  !  Why  I  told  him  you  were  blooming  as  the 
Spring,  and  mild  as  the  Dawn  of  a  Summer  Day, 

beautiful  as  an  Angel,  and  had  a  voice  like,  like, 

103 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

faith  like  a  Nightingale.  Pshaw,  mere  Fiction, 
common  place  Fiction.  Did  you  say  anything 
particular,  for  instance,  of  my  Eyes,  or  Eye 
brows,  or  Cheeks  or  Lips,  or — Yes,  and  yes,  and 
yes.  I  said  a  World  of  Fine  Things :  you  Know 
I  love  to  dwell  on  them,  smooth,  shiny  Hair,  fine 
wicked  Eyebrows,  dark  lustrous  Eyes,  rosy  Cheeks, 
Lips  to  tempt  an  Anchorite,  and  a  Bosom  so 
billowy,  so — Softly  there,  what  of  my  Fore 
head?  True  a  Forehead  smooth  and  polished, 
zounds  I  forgot  that  in  my  hurry  to  get  at  your 
Lips,  on  which  you  Know  I  love  to  dwell.  In 
short,  Madam,  I  made  you  out  a  perfect  Goddess, 
save  now  and  then  a  Fit  of  Vapours  will  seize  your 
Goddess-ship,  and  then  you  sink  into  a  mere  Mor 
tal.  Oh  how  apt  you  are  to  flatter — and  oh  how 
fond  you  are  to  hear  it. — Really  I  cannot  say  when 
I  shall  be  in  Philadelphia,  sometime  this  Fall,  though 
late  in  the  Season.  Try  to  be  at  Commencement, 
I  dare  say  you  can  spare  the  Time.  Without 
Flattery,  Jack,  I  had  rather  see  you  there  than  all 
the  rest  of  the  People  put  together. — Ask  Miss 
Redman.  Do  Dear  Miss,  suffer  your  adoring 
Swain  to  take  a  Ramble  into  the  country  for  a  few 

104 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Days.  Like  Noahs  Dove,  after  his  Excursion,  he 
will  return  to  your  Arms  with  new  Ardour.  Com 
pliments  to  Rush.  Yours  most  sincerely 

WM  PATERSON. 


105 


PART    II 


THE 

BELLE  OF  PRINCETON 
BETSEY  STOCKTON 

A  poem    written    at    Nassau    Hall 

1772 

By  WILLIAM  PATERSON 


THE    BELLE    OF    PRINCETON 
BETSEY  STOCKTON 

Written  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  1772,  and  read  before 
the  Cliosopbic  Society 

BOOKISH  blockhead,  and  ill-bred, 
Who  still  affects  his  class  to  lead : 
A  man  of  mighty  Influence 
Pity  !  he  lacks  for  common  Sense. 

Why  need  I  sing  of  Armstrong  Jemmy * 

Who  loves  so  well  his  Sampink  Lilly  ? 

Why  need  I  sing  of  Frank  Dunlap  ? 

May  he  in  love  have  no  mishap — 

1  "Armstrong  Jemmy'*  was  James  Francis  Armstrong,  a 
Southerner,  who  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey 
in  1773.  He  studied  divinity  under  Dr.  Witherspoon,  and 
was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Castle,  January,  1778. 
During  a  part  of  the  Revolution  he  was  chaplain  of  the  Second 
Maryland  Brigade.  He  was  married  to  Susanna  Livingston,  of 
Princeton,  by  Dr.  Witherspoon,  in  August,  1782.  For  the 
long  period  of  thirty  years  he  was  pastor  of  the  First  Presby 
terian  Church  at  Trenton,  and  his  memory  is  still  cherished 
throughout  Southern  New  Jersey. 

109 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Why  need  I  sing  of  Miss  Longstreet, 

So  modest,  debonair  &  neat  ? 

She  my  best  wishes  hath,  &  soon, 

Before  the  next  revolving  moon, 

May  John  Smith l  and  she  the  Pleasures  know, 

That  from  a  marry'd  life  can  flow. 

Those  Beauties  o'er,  proceed  we  next, 

To  nymph  the  last  &  nymph  the  best. 

Hail,  Betsey,2  hail,  thou  Virgin  bright 

And  mild  as  the  chaste  orb  of  night. 

Betsey  all  hail !     Rapt  in  amaze, 

Thy  beauties  o'er  &  o'er  I  gaze ; 

Feast  on  each  Charm,  each  Charm  devour 

Whilst  stript  of  almost  ev'ry  Pow'r 

1  John  Smith  was  a  native  of  Connecticut    who  was  graduated 
from  Princeton  in  1770.      He  became  a  missionary  among  the 
Indians  in  Northern  New  York. 

2  Betsey,  or  Elizabeth,  Stockton  was  the  daughter  of  Captain 
John  Stockton,  a  younger  brother  of  "  Richard   Stockton   the 
Signer."      Her  mother,  Mary  Hibbets,  at  the  time  of  her  mar 
riage  with  Captain  Stockton,  was  the  widow  of  James  Nelson, 
of  Bethel,  Pennsylvania.     From  her  mother  Betsey  inherited  the 
beauty  young  William  Paterson  invoked  the  aid  of  the  genius  of 
Pope  and  the  Muses  Nine  to  help  him  adequately  describe.     This 
belle  of  Princeton  eventually  married  Abner  Long,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  went  away  to  the  wilds  of  Allegheny  to  live. 


10 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Save  that  of  Light,  I  gaze  &  gaze, 
'Tis  dazzl'd  with  all  Beauty's  Blaze 
I  prostrate  fall ;  and  where  before 
I  only  gazed  at,  now  adore — 
Thy  Genius  Pope,  ye  nine  thy  Aid ! 
Teach  me  to  paint  this  heav'nly  Maid 
Teach  me  to  sing  in  smoothest  rhyme 
In  numbers  lofty  &  sublime, 
The  Beauties  of  her  mind  &  Face, 
Each  pleasing  Virtue  &  each  grace 
Vain  Invocation  !  why  desire 
Pope's  Genius  &  the  Muses'  fire, 
Her  beauty  can  alone  inspire  ! 
So  then  friend  Will,  methinks  you  say, 
'Tis  arrant  Love  that  tunes  yr  Lay ; 
Your  Flame  why  labour  to  conceal 
That  Blush  your  Passion  doth  reveal — 
Strive,  Strive  all  you  can,  yet  no  doubt 
The  mighty  Secret  will  come  out, 
Will,  too  in  Love  !  prodigious  fine 
I  see  love  breathe  in  every  Line. 
Will,  too  in  Love  !     O  happening  rare  ! 
Come  tell  us  of  this  wond'rous  Fair. 
Swear  that  in  beauty,  &  in  grace, 


1 1 1 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

She  far  excels  the  female  Race  ; 
Swear  too,  no  mortal  Miss  as  yet, 
Has  equal 'd  her  in  Sense  &  Wit. 
To  show  how  mighty  well  you  love 
Bring  down  each  goddess  from  above. 
Say  that  Hebe's  bloom  &  Venus's  air 
With  dear  Miss  Betsey's  can't  compare. 
Say  that  she  is,  wt  most  those  prize, 
As  Dian  chaste,  as  Pallas  wise. 
Peace  honest  Friend,  you  rail  in  Spite, 
And  faith  mistake  the  matter  quite. 
Tho'  Betsey  doth  in  Beauty's  Line 
The  brightest  &  the  foremost  Shine 
Tho'  her  fair  Form  each  Breast  inspires 
With  chastest  wishes  and  desires 
Tho'  she's  of  Manners  most  refined, 
Of  Sweetest  Temper,  gentlest  mind, 
Tho'  she's  Ye  Phoenix  of  her  Race, 
In  her  each  virtue  is  a  grace 
Tho'  she  is  all  that  man  can  move, 
Or  Poets  fancy  when  they  love ; 
Yet  what  care  I,  my  Lot  you  know 
(Oh  Lot  the  saddest  sure  below) 
Forbid  to  love  what  need  I  care 

I  12 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Who  is  most  witty,  neat,  or  fair 

Who  has  ye  finest  shape  or  eye. 

I  must  not  love ;  Oh  Fortune  hard, 

Of  Life's  chief  Bliss  to  be  debarred  ! 

I  must  not  love  ;  oh  cruel  Fate 

Why  was  I  cast  in  such  a  State  ? 

Yet  what  Vails  Grief;  perhaps  tis  best 

That  Love  should  never  seize  my  breast 

Tho'  from  Love  the  sweetest  Pleasures  flow 

Yet  oft,  quite  oft  they're  ting'd  with  woe. 

Some  pine,  some  sicken  (still  more  sad) 

Some  die  for  Love  &  some  run  mad, 

Behold  yon  hapless  lovesick  maid, 

Reclin'd  beneath  a  poplar's  shade 

Pale  now  those  lips  where  Rubies  hung, 

And  mute  the  Musick  of  her  Tongue 

The  Roses  from  her  Lips  are  fled, 

And  now  She  dies,  and  now  She's  dead  ! 

Ye  Virgins  listen  while  I  sing, 

Ye  Virgins  blooming  as  the  Spring. 

The  Joy  of  Princeton  and  the  Pride, 

By  my  advice  I  bid  ye  bide, 

Of  Love  beware ;  O  trust  not  Love 

His  Dart  full  oft  doth  fatal  prove. 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Beware  of  man,  of  man  the  most, 
Who  swears  you  are  creation's  Boast. 
Who  sighing  whispers,  how  divine, 
And  Flatt'ry  breathes  in  ev'ry  Line. 
But  to  return  I  think  'tis  time 
I  hate  digressions  e'en  in  Rhyme. 
Come  then  &  listen  whilst  I  tell 
The  Beauties  of  this  charming  Belle 
Tho'  that  indeed  is  useless  quite 
Why,  tell  me  Sir,  why  need  I  write 
Of  Betsey's  Charms,  another's  pen 
Already  sings  them,  and  what  then  ! 
Why  then,  begin  in  Order  due, 
I  hate  your  unmethodick  Crew. 
Her  hair  had  might  in  Cupid's  eyes 
He  sure  would  of  her  Hair  make  Prize 
To  string  his  Bow,  so  soft,  so  fine, 
And  of  the  beautifiillest  shine. 
Her  eyes  on  which  I  gaze  so  oft, 
Are  blue  &  languishingly  soft, 
Full  piercing  as  the  Solar  ray, 
And  mild  too  as  the  op'ning  Day, 
Her  Forehead's  polish'd,  smooth  &  eavn, 
Her  Eyebrows  like  the  Arch  of  Heav'n. 
114 


AND   LIFE   AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Her  cheeks  are  of  the  Roses  Hue, 
Her  Lips  sweet  as  the  balmy  Dew. 
Her  Lips,  no  mortal  can  declare 
How  round,  how  soft,  how  sweet  they  are  ; 
Her  Lips  where  all  the  graces  stray, 
Where  all  the  Loves  delight  to  play. 
Give  me  Ambrosia  in  a  Kiss 
And  lap,  oh  lap  my  Soul  in  Bliss. 
Her  Chin,  her  Neck  at  once  conspire 
Love  to  raise,  &  make  the  world  admire 
We'll  pass  unsung  her  snowy  Breast, 
That  Heav'n  of  Softness  &  of  Rest 
Sweet  as  the  Rosebud  in  the  Spring, 
And  Soft  as  down  in  Cherub's  wing — 
Heav'n  with  what  grace  she  swims  along 
The  envy  of  the  Virgin  throng. 
You'd  swear  so  graceful  is  her  motion 
Another  Venus  from  the  Ocean — 
Another  Venus  I     Oh  that  Head  ! 
The  Doctor  calls  to  Bed,  to  Bed. 
Another  Venus  !  Pshaw  the  Devil — 
Peace,  peace,  dear  angry  friend  be  civil 
Your  Passion  is  of  no  avail, 
It  only  interrupts  my  Tale  ! 
"5 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Modest  &  candid,  soft  and  mild, 
Of  Temper  gentle  as  a  child 
Of  Pity  foil :  the  Tears  still  flow 
When  e'er  she  hears  a  tale  of  Woe. 
Modestly  blushing  as  the  Rose, 
The  color  flutters  to  her  nose 
Ye  fair,  believe  me  while  I  sing, 
Nor  deem  it  as  a  trifling  thing, 
Let  Modesty  adorn  your  ways, 
More  beauteous  tis  than  Ruby's  Blaze— 
Her  temper  calm,  serene  &  ev'n 
As  vernal  Day,  or  op'ning  Heav'n, 
Virtue  o'er  all  her  thoughts  preside. 
Reason  doth  all  her  Passions  guide — 
Her  Passions  like  the  grateful  gale. 
That  fans  the  Lilly  of  the  Vale, 
That  fans  the  op'ning  rose  of  May 
Serves  just  to  keep  the  Soul  in  Play 
Such  are  her  Charms  perhaps  you'll  call, 
It  Fiction,  Fancy,  Fancy  All, 
Come  then  th'  Original  and  view, 
You'll  own  the  Copy  Just,  &  true. 


116 


PART:   1 1 1 


A       SATIRE       ON 

BETSEY'S 

COLLEGE     SUITORS 

A  continuation   of 
"THE    BELLE    OF    PRINCETON" 

By    WILLIAM     PATERSON 


A  SATIRE  ON  BETSEY'S  COLLEGE 
SUITORS 

I'VE  grown  of  late  confounded  jealous 
Of  the  dressy  college  fellows  ; 
E'en  (though  Betsey  let  you  pass) 
Of  Cook,  who  is  an  arrant  ass. 
By  this  my  passion  sure  I  prove, 
Since  jealousy's  a  sign  of  love. 
As  on  a  summer's  day  you  walked 
With  Thalis  by  your  side  &  talked 
Of  this,  &  that,  &  t'other  ;  love, 
The  little  urchin,  fond  to  prove 
His  pow'r,  resolved  was  to  try, 
(Tho'  from  his  physiognomy, 
The  god,  he  could  not  rightly  read, 
Whether  he  should  or  not  succeed) 
How  far  the  most  obdurate  heart 
Proof  was  agt  his  pow'r  of  art. 
Love,  in  contriving  never  dull, 
And  of  expedients  ever  full, 
119 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

Impell'd  the  gentle  tim'rous  boy, 
The  hour  to  spend  in  sport  &  joy  ; 
Plenty  of  apples  were  at  hand, 
You  each  delightful  took  a  stand, 
He  threw  at  you,  and  you  at  him 
O,  the  pretty,  amorous  whim. 
A  philosopher  so  grave 
Who'd  e'er  take  him  for  love's  slave. 
He'd  look,  joined  to  a  lass  so  gay, 
Like  January  wed  to  May. 
Altho'  thy  charms  I  dare  engage 
Would  thaw  the  frost  of  oldest  age, 
And  like  the  sun  upon  the  ice, 
Would  melt  &  melt  it  in  a  trice. 
Yet  do  not  Betsey  throw  away 
Thy  beams  upon  a  lump  of  clay. 
Smith,  tutor  Smith,  puts  in  his  claim, 
And  proudly  hopes  you'll  fan  his  flame. 
Tutor  Smith,1  a  Iyer  so  grand 

1  Samuel  Stanhope  Smith  was  a  graduate  of  the  College  ot" 
New  Jersey  in  1769.  It  is  recorded  he  became  a  tutor  at  his 
father*  s  school  in  Pequea,  and  returned  to  his  alma  mater  in  a  like 
capacity  in  1770.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Witherspoon. 
From  1795  to  1812  he  was  president  of  the  college. 

120 


AND   LIFE   AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Treads  not  upon  this  classic  land ; 

Tutor  Smith,  so  wond'rous  civil 

Compound  odd  of  Saint  &  Devil. 

This  Smith  a  parson  too,  alas  ! 

He  more  resembles  for  an  ass. 

This  Smith  a  parson  too,  good  Heav'ns ! 

Things  sure  in  sixes  are  &  sevens. 

He  looks  demure  as  any  nun, 

Tho'  meanest  fellow  under  sun. 

Oft,  very  oft,  I've  smiled  to  see 

This  booby  aim  at  raillery. 

E'en  Dick  he  tries  to  ridicule, 

Tho'  Dick's  not  half  so  great  a  fool. 

Proud  of  his  learning  &  his  parts 

The  case  exact  of  all  upstarts — 

Proud  of  his  beauty  too ;  I  swear 

He  is  all  lovely  &  all  fair ; 

Proud  of  his  manners,  'tis  most  true 

(We  must  e'en  give  the  dev'l  his  due) 

In  manners  he  excels ;  he  came 

From  Pequea,1  land  of  wond'rous  fame, 

Where  learning,  wit,  &  genius  shine, 

Ecce  Signum,  I  am  divine ! 

2  Pequea,  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania. 

121 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Sure  no  good  Christian  can  do  less 
Than  help  a  neighbor  in  distress : 
Mark  !  the  conduct  of  this  tutor 
And  who'd  have  him  for  a  suitor  ? 
A  house  late  chanc'd  to  be  on  fire, 
A  house  it  chanc'd  to  be  of  Hyer ; 
The  bell  it  rung,  the  scholars  flew, 
For  tell  me,  who,  till  then  e'er  knew 
On  such  occasions  people  stay, 
Or  loiter  idly  in  the  way  ? 
Slow  rises  Smith  &  oped  the  window 
The  fire  to  see  &  how  the  wind  blew : 
"  'Tis  none  of  mine"  he  cry'd  amain, 
Then  back  to  bed  he  SNEAKED  again  ! 


Morgan  pretends  to  love,  'tis  true, 

And  fondly  hopes  to  win  you  too. 

Morgan  a  lad  well  known  to  fame, 

For  who  knows  not  buck  Morgan's  name "? 

Morgan  a  lad  well  bred  &  civil, 

Who  smiling  sends  one  to  the  devil ; 

Morgan,  the  ladies'  dear  delight 


122 


AND   LIFE   AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

For  ever  welcome  to  their  sight. 
Prettiest  fellow  under  sun, 
So  full  of  Spirit,  full  of  fun. 
Morgan  a  lad  genteel  &  neat, 
He  knows  the  ladies  how  to  seat, 
Can  hand  down  stairs,  or  lead  to  pew, 
Can  give  to  each  fair  maid  her  due, 
Can  reach  a  glove,  or  furl  a  fan, 
Morgan's  sure  a  gentle  man. 
Morgan  can  sing,  &  chat,  &  dance, 
Morgan  you'd  swear  was  bred  in  France. 
He  lately  liv'd  with  Madam  Hornor 
Whose  Amy  play'd  it  in  the  corner — 
Whose  Sally  is  a  pretty  scorner — 
But  now  has  changed  his  situation 
In  hopes  they  say  of  an  oration 
Tho'  Morgan's  gay,  genteel,  &  tall, 
And  at  your  feet  quite  low  does  fall, 
Yet  trust,  oh  trust  not,  what  he  says 
He  spends  in  falsehoods  half  his  days, 
He's  full  of  art  &  full  of  wile, 
And  flatters  only  to  beguile. 
Armstrong's  by  fits  &  starts  your  lover, 
But  Armstrong  is  an  arrant  rover. 
123 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

The  gay,  the  fair,  the  brown,  the  lewd, 
The  slattern,  coquette,  &  the  prude, 
By  terms,  his  youthful  thoughts  employ 
By  turns,  his  pleasure  &  his  Joy. 
He  ogles,  vows,  &  swears,  &  sighs, 
Ten  thousand,  thousand  arts  he  tries 
The  female  bosom  to  inspire, 
And  melt  with  all  love's  fiercest  fire. 
The  funeral  eulogy 
On  Ciesar  &  Mark  Antony 
When  late  he  spoke ;  the  pains,  the  arts 
He  us'd  to  touch  the  ladies'  hearts. 
He  tryd,  in  hopes  each  breast  to  move, 
To  rouse  it  like  a  sucking  goud, 
Tho'  it  resembled  more  by  half, 
The  roaring  of  a  sucking  calf. 
Oh  worse  than  daggers  or  than  swords, 
So  happily  he  mouth'd  his  words. 
He  sob'd  &  war'd  &  sob'd  till  lo ! 
Out  came  the  handkerchiefs,  Oh  !  Oh  ! 
The  handkerchief,  for  wt  speakers  say. 
Without  can  do  in  the  wailing  way : 
The  handkerchief,  sure  sign  of  woe, 
Still  used  when  tears  begin  to  flow  ; 
124 


AND   LIFE   AT    PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

Still  used  the  tearful  eye  to  wipe 
And  make  the  face  of  sorrow  bright ; 
The  handkerchief:  Oh  wondrous  thing  ! 
Can  sorrow  lay  &  sorrow  bring. 
The  handkerchief:  so  great  its  praise, 
His  tears  can  lay,  our  tears  to  raise 
You  see,  dear  maid,  how  great  his  art 
Then  Guard  each  pass  unto  your  heart. 


PART    IV 


LETTERS 

on  the 

SUBJECT   OF   LOVE 

(«Platonick&  Self-love") 

TO 

AARON  BURR 
and   HENRY   LEE,  JR 


LETTER   TO   AARON   BURR 

PRINCETON  Oct  26th  1772. 

DEAR  BURR, 
Our  mutual  friend  Stewart,  with 
whom  I  spent  part  of  last  evening 
informed  me  you  were  still  in  Eliz- 
Town.  You  are  much  fonder  of  that  place  than 
I  am,  otherwise  you  would  hardly  be  prevailed 
upon  to  make  so  long  a  stay.  But  perhaps  the 
reason,  that  I  fear  it  makes  you  like  it.  There  is 
certainly  something  amorous  in  the  very  air.  Nor 
is  this  case  any  way  extraordinary,  or  beyond  be 
lief.  I  have  read  (it  was  in  print  too)  that  a  flock 
of  birds  being  on  the  wing,  &  bending  their  flight 
towards  a  certain  town  in  Connecticut,  dropped 
down  dead  just  as  they  were  over  it.  The  people 
at  first  fairly  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this  phenom 
enon  in  any  natural  way ;  however  it  was  at  length 

9  129 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

agreed  on  all  hands,  that  it  was  owing  to  the  noise- 
someness  of  the  atmosphere,  the  small-pox  at  that 
time  being  very  rife  in  the  place.  I  should  never 
have  given  credit  to  the  report,  had  it  not  come 
from  so  good  a  quarter  as  that  of  New  England. 
For  my  part  I  always  drive  thro'  Eliz-Town  as 
quickly  as  possible,  lest  the  soft  infection  should 
steal  upon  me,  or  I  should  take  it  in  with  the  very 
air  I  breathe. 

Yesterday  I  went  to  hear  Mr  Halsey,  &  then 
too  I  saw  his  young  &  blooming  wife.  The  old 
genn.  seems  very  fond  of  his  rib,  &  in  good  sooth 
leers  very  wistfully  at  her,  as  she  trips  along  his 
side  ;  some  allowance  however  must  be  made :  he 
is  in  the  vale  of  life,  love  is  a  new  thing  to  him,  & 
the  honey  moon  is  not  yet  over. 

"  They  are  amorous  &  fond  of  billing, 
Like  Philip  &  Mary  on  a  shilling." 

I  have  promised  to  pay  him  a  visit ;  Stewart  or 
some  of  the  tutors  I  believe,  will  accompany  me, 
&  I  hope  you  will  too.  Since  commencement  I 
have  been  at  a  Dutch  wedding,  &  expect  to  be  at 

130 


AARON     BURR 


From  a  drawing  by  Albert  Rosenthal,   after  the 
painting  by  Gilbert  Stuart 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

one  or  two  more  very  shortly.  There  was  drinking, 
&  singing,  and  fiddling  &  dancing.  I  was  pleased 
extremely  ;  everyone  seemed  to  be  in  good  humor 
with  himself,  &  this  naturally  led  them  to  be  in 
good  humor  with  one  another. 

When  the  itch  of  scribbling  seizes  me  I  hardly 
know  when  to  stop ;  the  fit  indeed  seldom  comes 
upon  me,  but  when  it  does  though  I  sit  down  with 
design  to  be  short,  yet  my  letter  insensibly  slides 
into  length  &  swells  perhaps  into  an  enormous  size. 
I  know  not  how  it  happens,  but  on  such  occasions 
I  have  a  knack  of  throwing  myself  out  upon 
paper  that  I  cannot  readily  get  the  better  of.  It  is 
a  sign  however  that  I  more  than  barely  esteem  the 
person  I  write  to ;  as  I  have  constantly  experienced 
that  my  hand  but  illy  performs  its  office  unless  my 
heart  concurs.  I  confess  I  cannot  conceive  how 
I  got  into  so  scribbling  a  vein  at  present,  as  it  is 
now  past  1 1  o'clock  at  night,  &  besides  being  on 
horse  the  greater  part  of  the  day,  I  intend  to  start 
early  to-morrow  for  Philada ;  there  I  shall  see  the 
races,  &  the  play,  and,  what  is  of  more  value  than 

all,  there  too  I  shall  see  Miss you  know 

who. 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

The  inclosed  letter  to  Spring l  I  commit  to  your 
care ;  I ,  should  have  sent  it  before,  as  I  wrote  it 
immediately  after  you  left  this  place ;  but  I  really 
thought  you  were  in  New  England  long  ere  now. 
I  know  not  his  address ;  perhaps  he  is  at  Newport, 
perhaps  he  is  not.  If  on  inquiry  you  find  that  the 
letter  is  wrongly  directed,  pray  give  it  an  envelope, 
&  superscribe  it  anew.  If  he  is  still  at  Newport, 
it  would  perhaps  more  readily  reach  him  from  N. 
York  than  from  any  part  of  N.  England  you  may 
be  at.  I  have  said,  that  if  I  am  mistaken  in  direct 
ing  the  written  letter,  you  should  cover  it,  and  give 
the  proper  address.  Do,  Burr,  get  somebody,  who 
can  write  at  least  a  passable  hand  to  back  it ;  for 
you  give  your  letters  such  a  sharp,  slender  &  lady 
like  cast,  that  almost  every  one  on  seeing  them, 
would  conclude,  there  was  a  correspondence  kept 

1  Samuel  Spring  was  one  of  the  closest  early  friends  of  William 
Paterson.  He  was  graduated  from  Princeton  in  1771,  and  dur 
ing  the  Revolution  joined  the  Continental  army  as  a  chaplain. 
He  was  in  the  severe  campaign  to  Canada  under  Benedict  Arnold. 
In  the  annals  of  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  where  he  preached 
as"a  minister  of  the  gospel  for  nearly  half  a  century,  he  is  one  of 
the  most  famous  figures. 

132 


AND   LIFE   AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

up  between  my  honest  friend  Spring  &  some  of 
the  female  tribe,  which  might  perhaps  affect  him 
extremely  in  point  of  reputation  ;  as  many  people 
suppose  that  no  thing  of  this  kind  can  be  carried 
on  between  unmarried  persons  of  two  sexes  with 
out  being  tinged  with  love,  &  the  rather  so,  since 
the  notion  of  platonick  love  is  at  the  present  day 
pretty  generally  I  believe,  justly  too,  exploded. 
Platonick  love  is  arrant  nonsense,  &  rarely  if  ever 
takes  place  until  the  parties  have  at  least  passed 
their  grand  climacterick.  Besides,  the  N.  England 
people ;  I  am  told,  are  odd,  inquisitive  kind  of 
beings,  &  when  pricked  on  by  foolish  curiosity, 
may  perhaps  open  the  letter,  which  I  do  not  choose 
should  be  common  to  every  eye. 

You  gave  me  some  hopes,  that  you  would  see 
my  good  friend  Reeve  before  you  returned :  if  you 
do,  make  him  my  respectful  compliments,  &  tell 
him  that  I  fully  designed  to  write  to  him,  but 
that  business  prevented,  that  laziness  hindered, 

that,  in  short  tell  him  anything,  so  it  does 

not  impeach  my  affection,  or  lead  him  to  think  I 
have  entirely  forgot  him 

WM.  PATERSON. 
'33 


LETTER  TO  HENRY  LEE,  JR. 

PRINCETON  Sept  28,  1774 

DEAR  SIR, 
It  is  now  the  close  of  commence 
ment,  which  you  well  know  to  be  a 
day  of  noise,  of  bustle  &  fatigue. 
But  as  hurried  &  as  wearied  as  I  am,  I  cannot  for 
bear  writing  by  so  fair  an  opportunity,  though  I 
am  really  at  a  loss  in  what  manner  to  sum  up  this 
letter  into  a  decent  length.  Princeton  is  quite  a 
barren  theme ;  to  count  over  the  exercises  of  the 
day  would  be  unentertaining  to  a  person,  who  has 
often  seen  the  pomp  of  parade  of  a  commence 
ment  :  &  to  sit  down  &  think  what  to  write  next 
I  cannot  positively  bear ;  for  besides  the  want  of 
time,  it  does  not  run  in  with  my  present  frame  or 
cast  of  mind.  What  then  shall  I  tell  you  ?  Shall 
I  talk  of  myself?  Self  is  indeed  an  object  of 
much  love  &  pleasure,  that  we  are  apt  to  imagine 
everybody  else  must  be  equally  delighted  with  it. 
Dear,  delightful  self,  which  even  philosophers  dwell 

'34 


HENRY    LEE,    JR. 
From  the  portrait  by    J.   Herring,   after   Stuart 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

upon  with  rapture,  notwithstanding  all  their  preten 
sions  to  humility,  self  denial  &  wisdom. 

To  talk  of  one'self  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
please  requires  greater  art  than  is  to  be  met  with  in 
the  bulk  of  mankind.  Vanity  is  for  the  most  part 
disagreeable ;  and  what  adds  to  the  misfortune  is, 
that  not  contented  merely  with  laughing  at  those 
who  are  vain,  we  endeavor  to  take  them  down  & 
set  them  on  a  level  with  the  rest  of  the  world.  We 
cannot  bear  that  any  should  be  vain  but  ourselves. 
This  is  the  reason  that  coxcombs  are  for  ever  buck 
ing  against  each  other.  It  is  a  common  observa 
tion,  I  believe  will  in  general  hold  for  a  true  one, 
that  those  are  the  aptest  to  be  puffed  up  with 
vanity,  who  have  the  fewest  good  qualities  &  of 
course  are  the  least  worthy  of  regard.  A  man  of 
modesty  and  merit  will  never  deal  out  his  own 
praises  neither  will  he  ever  pass  himself  forward 
into  the  crowd  merely  to  be  taken  notice  of  & 
admired.  And  yet  there  is  a  sort  of  vanity  pleasing 
enough,  though  it  is  rare  to  be  met  with  and  as  full 
as  hard  to  describe.  The  writings  of  Montaigne, 
the  celebrated  French  essayist,  abounds  with  vanity 
of  this  kind.  Full  of  himself  yet  ever  agreeable ; 

'35 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

his  very  vanity  pleases ;  he  dresses  it  up  in  such  a 
manner,  that  even  those  who  are  most  opposed  to 
the  foible  can  hardly  fail  of  being  pleased,  &  I  am 
sure  cannot  find  it  in  their  hearts  to  be  angry. 

Well,  Harry,  in  point  of  length  at  least,  this 
letter  I  think  may  pass.  You  see  I  write  what 
comes  uppermost  &  as  Cowley  has  it,  warm  from 
the  brain.  I  hope  in  this  particular  you  will  pattern 
after  me,  &  set  down  your  thoughts  just  as  they  rise. 

My  best  respects  wait  upon  Mr  &  Mrs  Lee.  I 
shall  ever  hold  in  grateful  memory  the  civility  & 
politeness  with  which  they  treated  my  brother,  & 
myself. 

Inclosed  is  a  copy  of  our  art.  of  assembly  re 
specting  Swine,  which  Mr  Lee  desired  me  to  send. 
The  legislature  made  a  law  concerning  swine  in  the 
infancy  of  the  colony,  which  however  I  forbare  to 
transcribe,  taking  the  last  act  to  be  much  better 
adapted  to  the  present  State  of  Virginia,  which  I 
look  upon  as  standing  in  the  same  line,  in  respect 
of  improvement,  with  the  Jersies. 

The  fever  of  ague  laid  hold  of  me  on  my  way 
home,  however  I  happily  got  rid  of  it  in  a  few  days. 
I  am  yours  Sincerely 

WM.  PATERSON. 
136 


P  A  R  r    V 


LETTERS 


BY 

WILLIAM    PATERSON 

TO 

VARIOUS   GENTLEMEN 


A  LETTER  TO  MR.  JOHN  DAVENPORT,1  OF 
PRINCETON 

NEW  BROMLEY  10  July  1769. 

DSIR: 
Inclosed  you  have  the  Essay  on 
the  Passions,  which  I  promised  when 
last  at  Princeton.     It  has  lain  by  me 
a  week  or  two  in  Hopes  of  having  an  Opportunity 
to  send  it,  but  none  has  offered  till  now.     I  wish 
it  was  more  worthy  your  acceptance :  the  Business 
I  am  engaged  in  obliged  me  to  work  it  off  in  a 
Hurry.     However  as  it  is  not  as  highly  polished 

^ohn  Davenport  was  a  native  of  Southold,  Long  Island,  and 
was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in  1769.  Wil 
liam  Pater  son's  letter  to  him  gives  us  a  remarkable  incidence  of 
kindness,  but  we  cannot  help  wondering  at  the  recipient's  lack 
of  pride  in  permitting  another  to  write  his  graduation  essay. 
From  the  Paterson  papers  it  would  seem  that  this  was  almost  a 
custom  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey  before  the  Revolution. 
At  any  rate,  we  know  that  William  Paterson,  busy  with  keeping 
a  general  store  at  New  Bromley  and  studying  to  be  admitted  to 
the  bar,  found  time  to  write  many  essays  for  Princeton  students 
who  sought  his  aid. 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

as  could  be  wished,  the  consequence  is  that  you 
must  take  the  greater  pains  with  it  yourself. 
Recollecting  that  you  was  somewhat  doubtful 
whether  you  would  have  any  addresses  at  all,  I 
thought  it  unnecessary  to  go  through  them,  and 
therefore  stopped  short  in  the  one  to  the  Doctor.1 
I  confess  I  could  never  see  the  Propriety  of  giving 
the  parting  Compliment,  or  farewell  Song  at  Ex 
amination,  and  I  suppose  that,  at  this  day,  it  has 
nothing  to  support  it  but  Custom.  However, 
situated  as  you  are,  if  you  could  so  contrive  it  as 
to  make  a  general  Adieu,  it  would  not,  I  think  be  at 
all  ungraceful.  But  I  do  not  by  any  means  advise 
you  to  go  the  Round  of  Compliments  usual  on 
such  Occasions  :  this  is  the  peculiar  business  of 
the  Commencement  Orator,  and  very  handsomely 
closes  the  Exercises  of  that  Day. 

I  beg  you  would  be  careful  of  the  inclosed 
Piece,  and,  when  done  with  it,  should  be  glad  you 
would  return  it. 

I  am,  D  Sir 

Your  affect. 

WM  PATERSON. 
1  Doctor  Witherspoon. 
140 


A    LETTER    TO    MR.    LUTHER  MARTIN/ 
OF  MARYLAND 

PRINCETON  June  zd  1769. 

DE   SIR:— 
Yours  of  the   2yth  May  by  the 
Post   has  just   now   come   to  hand, 
&  I  assure  you  met  with  a  hearty 
Reception.     It  was  exceedingly  fortunate  that  it 
reached  me  so  soon ;  had  it  been  a  day  tardy  on 
its  Passage,  I  should  not  in  all  Probability  have 
reed  it  for  some  Weeks.     I  am  on  the  Eve  of 

1  Luthe/  Martin  was  a  native  of  New  Brunswick,  New  Jer 
sey,  and  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New  Jersey  in 
1766.  Shortly  afterwards  he  removed  to  the  South,  where  he 
taught  school  until  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1771.  During  the 
Revolution  he  became  attorney-general  of  the  State  of  Mary 
land.  In  1807  he  was  one  of  the  counsel  to  defend  Aaron 
Burr  in  his  trial  for  treason.  Later  in  his  life  he  again  became 
attorney-general  of  Maryland,  after  a  lapse  of  nearly  half  a  cen 
tury.  It  is  said  he  was  one  of  the  last  gentlemen  of  the  old 
school  to  wear  wrist  ruffles  and  a  que  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
where  he  died  in  1826. 

141 


GLIMPSES   OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

bidding  Adieu  to  Princeton,  &  removing  a  consid 
erable  Way  into  the  country,  where  I  shall  live 
mewed  up,  conversing  with  none  but  the  Dead. 
To-morrow  I  expect  to  take  my  departure,  &  I 
am  therefore  really  busied  in  preparing  Matters,  & 
getting  my  Baggage  in  tolerable  Order.  However 
inclinable  I  am  to  write  a  long  Letter,  yet  being 
greatly  straitened  for  Time,  I  must  necessarily  be 
short.  I  assure  you  it  would  give  me  real  Pleas 
ure  could  I  be  of  any  Service  to  you  ;  I  hope  you 
will  make  free  to  call  upon  me,  whenever  you 
think  I  can.  You  must  be  sensible,  there  is  very 
little  circulating  cash  in  the  country,  which  renders 
it  difficult  to  take  up  money,  tho'  the  best  Security 
be  offered.  I  know  of  none  about  this  place  who 
have  money  to  dispose  of  in  this  way ;  tho'  is  very 
likely  the  Part  of  Jersies  I  am  going  to  live  in 
may  have  some  monied  men.  It  is  as  probable  a 
Place  as  any  in  the  Jersies,  &  when  I  name  it, 
believe  you  will  think  so  yourself — New  Brom 
ley,  in  Hunterdon  County,  about  30  miles  from 
Princeton,  is  the  place  of  my  intended  abode.  In 
that  part  of  the  country  live  wealthy  Farmers, 
many  of  whom,  I  am  told,  have  money  to  put,  to 

142 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

use.  You  may  depend  upon  it,  that  I  shall  en 
deavour  all  in  my  Power  to  procure  the  Money 
you  want — &  to  prove  Successful  would  afford 
me  a  very  particular  Pleasure.  However  I  think 
you  had  better  make  diligent  Inquiry  yourself, 
&  write  to  those  of  your  friends  on  whom  you 
can  rely  to  do  the  Same. 

I  am,  D  Sir,  in  Haste, 

Your  very  affect., 

WM  PATERSON 


H3 


A     LETTER     TO     THE     REV.    THEODRICK 
RoMEYN,1  OF  ULSTER,  NEW  YORK 

NEW  BROMLEY,  IN 
HUNTERDON  COUNTY 

August  14th  1770 

VERY  DR  SIR : 
You  are  often  in  my  thoughts  and 
not    withstanding    it    is    some    time 
since  I   have  had  a  letter  from  you 
I  cannot  but  say  you  have  still  a  warm  Corner  in 
my  Heart.     I  have  often  wrote  you  formerly,  but 
never  receiving  a  Letter  from  you,  save  one  or  two, 
made  me  conclude  that   the  far  greater  Part  of 
mine  were  unfortunate  in  their  Passage.     It  is  in 
deed  a  misfortune  under  which  we  both  labor,  that 
we  live  at  so  unhappy  a  Distance  &  in  so  retired 

1  Theodrick  Romeyn  was  born  in  New  Barbadoes  Neck, 
New  Jersey,  and  was  graduated  from  the  College  of  New 
Jersey  in  1765.  He  became  a  minister  in  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church,  and  towards  the  close  of  his  life  helped  to  establish  Union 
College.  Tradition  says  he  spoke  the  Holland  tongue  fluently 
and  often  delivered  his  sermons  in  that  language. 

144 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,   1766-1773 

a  Corner  of  the  World  as  almost  as  to  prevent  an 
epistolary  correspondence.  I  asked  after  you  so 
repeatedly  in  vain,  that  I  at  last  gave  over  making 
any  further  inquiry  &  solaced  myself  with  the 
pleasing  Hope  that  you  were  easy  quiet  &  con 
tented.  To  attain  the  latter  is  one  of  the  few  things 
worth  a  wise  man's  attention,  as  it  is  perhaps  the 
only  way  of  arriving  at  Happiness  here  below.  And 
yet  small  is  the  number  that  possesses  an  easy  Com 
petence  &  still  smaller  that  which  enjoys  content 
ment  which  may  well  enough  be  called  the  sunshine 
of  the  Soul.  What  a  stir  &  Bustle  do  we  make  in 
this  Life?  One  is  carried  away  by  Vanity,  and 
another  by  Ambition ;  this  man  is  desirous  of 
raising  a  fortune  &  that  of  perpetuating  his  name. 
Prejudice  blinds  us,  Self-Interest  makes  us  partial, 
&  the  impetuosity  of  Party-Spirit  often  makes  us 
ungenerous  as  well  as  unjust.  The  best  &  worst 
of  Mankind  frequently  do  that,  in  the  Heat  of 
Passion,  which  they  would  but  condemn  in  the 
cool  Hour  of  Reflection.  It  is  well  we  are  mortal ; 
for  with  desires  so  craving  &  Appetites  so  un 
bounded  were  we  immortal,  what  would  we  not 
aim  at?  Cast  an  attentive  look  round  the  World 

10  145 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

&  then  say  whether  it  does  not  raise  in  you  either 
a  Smile  or  a  Frown.     It  is  true, 

"  To  laugh,  is  Want  of  goodness  &  of  Grace, 
But  to  be  grave  exceeds  all  Pow'r  of  Face." 

I  make  no  scruple  to  prefer  the  easy  chair  of  Democ- 
ritus  who  laughed  at  human  Life  as  a  continual 
Farce,  to  the  lonely  Cell  of  Heraclitus  who  made 
it  the  subject  of  woe  &  wept  at  it  as  a  constant 
Tragedy.  When  I  have  a  low  flow  of  spirits  I 
call  up  these  two  ancient  Philosophers,  connect  the 
Frolick  face  with  the  one,  with  the  Tearful  one  of 
the  other,  which  forms  a  sort  of  tragic-comic  Phiz, 
and  immediately  charms  away  the  spleen.  You 
are  sometimes  as  well  as  myself,  a  little  spleenishly 
inclined ;  when  therefore  you  find  a  Fit  of  Melan 
choly  coming  fast  on  you,  imagine  to  yourself 
Democritus  laughing  ready  to  split  his  sides,  or 
Heraclitus  whining  like  a  snivelling  School-boy 
and  its  gone.  Remember  what  the  author  of  the 
Poem  on  the  Spleen  says- 
Laugh  and  be  well.  Monkeys  have  been 
Extreme  good  Doctors  for  the  Spleen  ; 
146 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

And  Kitten,  if  the  Humor  hit, 
Has  Harliquin'd  away  the  Fit. 
I  deem  it  Heav'n  to  be  serene  ; 
Pain  Hell  &  Purgatory,  spleen. 

You  may  perhaps  have  heard,  that  I  am  admitted 
into  the  Practice,  but  it  is  likely  you  may  not  have 
heard  where  I  live.  Turn  your  eyes  to  the  Date  of 
this  Letter,  &  you  will  see,  that  New  Bromley  in 
Hunterdon  County  is  the  place  of  my  abode. 
When  you  write  me  send  your  letters  by  the  way 
of  Princeton,  at  which  Place  (being  about  thirty 
miles  from  this)  I  am  generally  once  in  five  or  six 
weeks. 

Pray  what  has  become  of  Stoddard?  I  think 
you  and  he  are  much  alike,  for  neither  of  you 
deem  it  worth  while  to  answer  my  letters.  If  he 
continues  in  his  old  place,  you  will  perhaps  have 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  him  soon,  &  if  you  have, 
should  be  glad  you  would  make  him  my  most 
respectful  Compliments. 

I  am,  Dr  Sir, 

Sincerely  Your's 
WM  PATERSON. 


147 


A    LETTER    TO    DOCTOR    BARNET,*    OF 
ELIZABETH-TOWN,  NEW  JERSEY 

NEW   BROMLEY  8th  Jany,  1771 

DR   SIR, 
Mrs    Barnet,    when    I     had     the 
pleasure  of  seeing  her  last,  informed 
me  that  she  intended  going  to  Morris 
Town  some  time   soon.     Not  recollecting  that  I 
had    any    particular    Business    at   that    Place,    I 
neglected  to  ask   when    she  designed  to  set   off, 
though  if  I  had,  it  is  a  million  to  one,  whether  she 
could  have  solved  the  question,  for,  I  think,  it  is  a 
Maxim,  that  a  woman  don't  know  her  own  mind 
half  an  hour  together.     But  this  under  the  Rose. 
I  should  be  fond  of  an  Opportunity  of  send'g  a 
letter  to  Morris  Town,  &  therefore  beg  you  will 
let  me  know — (for  you  being  her  Lord  &  Master 

1  Doctor  Barnet  was  perhaps  the  best  known  physician  of 
his  time  in  New  Jersey.  He  introduced  vaccination  into  the 
colony  and  was  famous  for  his  vagaries,  many  and  eccentric. 
During  the  Revolution  he  served  as  an  army  surgeon,  and  was 
most  ardent  in  his  love  of  freedom. 

148 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

can  tell,)  whether  Mrs  Barnet  goes  this  week  or 
not? 

Your  Company  on  Friday  last  would  have  been 
very  acceptable,  &  I  am  really  sorry  that  anything 
stept  in  to  prevent  your  attendance.  Inclination 
(I  will  not  say  Business,  for  you  will  be  rougish 
enough  not  to  believe  me  if  I  do)  leads  me  in  a 
few  day  to  Princeton,  where  if  you  have  any  com 
mands  it  will  give  me  Pleasure  to  execute  them. 

Mrs  Barnet  will  have  it,  that  court  is  always  at 
Princeton  with  me ;  be  it  so,  I  shall  not  dispute 
the  Matter  at  Present  but  I  can  assure  her  I  have 
no  love  suit  depending  there.  Of  all  the  arts  of 
Life  I  abominate  that  of  Love.  It  is  the  saddest 
thing  in  the  world ;  it  is  indeed  a  disease  beyond 
the  Doctor's  skill,  for  I  look  upon  it  as  absolutely 
incurable.  That  I  rather  (though  that  is  bad 
enough  in  all  Conscience)  swallow  the  roughest 
Pill  you  can  make,  than  be  love-sick  for  a  single 
hour :  as  to  the  first  give  one  gulp,  &  there  is  an 
End  of  it :  where  as  the  second  by  its  languishing 
Softness  wholly  unmans  one.  Besides  when  Love 
once  seizes  a  person  it  is  not  easily  shaken  off: 
so  far  from  it,  that  it  generally  concludes  with 

149 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

marriage  &  is  followed  by  the  bitterest  of  curses  a 
wife,  which  always  lasts  till  Death.  One  may  with 
a  little  alteration  say  with  Sir  John  Wronghead  in 
the  Trip  to  London  "  what  a  mortal  poor  Devil  is 
a  lover  r 

Nature  does  wonders  at  Times  &  now  &  then 
we  see  a  Husband  happy  in  a  wife.  Woman  may 
indeed  be  said  to  be  the  last  best  gift,  or  curse  of 
Heaven.1 

1  This  letter  was  no  doubt  written  when  William  Paterson 
was  still  suffering  from  Elizabeth  Stockton's  rejection  of  his 
addresses.  Eight  years  later  his  views  of  the  female  sex  had 
undergone  a  complete  transformation  when  he  gave  his  heart  to 
"  the  loveliest  &  fairest  of  women,"  Cornelia  Bell,  of  Raritan, 
New  Jersey.  His  letters  to  her,  penned  during  the  Revolution, 
are  among  the  sweetest  and  most  charming  love-epistles  pre 
served  in  the  English  language.  In  a  little  diary  compiled  when 
William  Paterson  was  governor  of  New  Jersey  we  find  recorded  : 

* '  William  Paterson  and  Cornelia  Bell  were  married  on  Tues 
day  the  9th  of  Feby  1779,  by  l^e  Rev^«  Mr  Samuel  Blair,  a 
Presbyterian  Minister,  at  the  House  of  Anthony  White  Esq. 
at  the  Union  Farm,  in  the  County  of  Hunterdon. 

Present 

Anthony  White  Esq. 

Col.  Charles  Stewart 

150 


AND  LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

My  best  Wait  upon  Mrs  Barnet  whom  I  much 
esteem,  though  she  be  a  woman ;  and  accept  the 
same  from,  Dr  Sir, 

Your  obed.  hble  Sevt. 

WM  PATERSON 

P.  S.  As  I  may  perhaps  set  off  for  Princeton 
before  I  either  see  or  hear  from  you,  I  shall  leave 
the  Letter  for  Morris  Town  in  charge  with  Berry ; 
so  that  if  Mrs  Barnet  goes  this  week,  be  so  good 
as  to  send  him  word  &  she  will  forward  it  to  Ger 
man  Town.  W.  P. 

Thomas  Paterson 

Edward  Paterson 

Miss  Isabel  White 

Miss  Johannah  White 

Miss  Euphemia  White." 

Mrs.  Cornelia  Paterson  died  at  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  in 
the  Paterson  mansion  in  New  Brunswick,  and  later  in  his  life 
William  Paterson  espoused  her  friend  Euphemia  White,  who 
outlived  him  many  years. 


p  A  R  r  vi 


A 

SENIOR'S    LETTER 

in    1786 

TO    A     GENTLEMAN 

"Acting  a  superior  fart  on  the 
THEATRE  of  the  WORLD" 


COLLEGE  PRINCETON 

July  8th,  1786 

DEAR  SIR. 
An  address  of  this  nature  will  I 
am  thinking  appear  somewhat  ex 
traordinary  and  be  unexpected.  I 
am  also  fearful  that  it  may  be  thought  forward  and 
unbecoming  from  me  to  you.  Apprehensions  of 
this  kind  would  create  in  me  a  diffidence  of  the 
undertaking  did  not  the  necessity  of  my  situation 
and  a  regard  for  my  own  interest  together  with  a 
more  powerful  reason  than  either  prompt  me  to  it. 
I  am  in  hopes  you  will  excuse  the  liberty  I  have 
taken  when  you  are  informed  of  its  motives  and 
design.  Though  you  are  now  acting  an  eminent 
and  superior  part  on  the  more  extensive  theatre  of 
the  world,  you  no  doubt  still  hold  in  rememberance 
that  time  of  your  youth  which  was  spent  in  college 
in  the  pursuit  of  science  and  in  laying  the  foun 
dation  of  your  present  fame  &  usefulness.  The 
exercises  of  our  college  must  still  be  known  to 
you.  The  emulation  that  subsists  among  the 

155 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

students.  Their  exhibitions  in  public  and  the  ad 
vantages  of  a  creditable  appearance  on  all  public 
occasions.  Presuming  Sir,  that  these  things  are 
within  your  recollection  and  relying  on  your  enter 
tainment  to  literature  and  on  your  disposition  to 
aid  and  encourage  those  who  are  engaged  in  liter 
ary  pursuits,  I  am  told  to  entreat  your  assistance  in 
my  favor,  to  prepare  me  for  my  last  publick  speak 
ing  in  college  the  next  commencement.  On  all 
occasions  hitherto  I  have  made  trial  of  my  own 
abilities  with  a  view  to  my  own  improvement  and 
avoid  being  troublesome  to  others.  But  as  the 
exercise  to  which  I  would  solicit  your  aid  appears 
to  me  of  superior  importance,  and  attended  with 
uncommon  difficulties,  I  distrust  my  being  any 
way  adequate  to  a  suitable  preparation  and  would 
be  scrappy.  If  (without  troubling  you  too  much) 
I  could  interest  you  so  much  in  what  concerns  me 
as  to  engage  a  few  hours  of  your  attention  to  free 
me  from  any  present  anxiety. 

The  present  Senior  class  in  college  of  which  I 
am  a  member  consists  of  about  thirty,  amongst 
whom  are  several  excellent  speakers  who  I  suppose 
will  take  all  possible  methods  to  make  an  appear- 

156 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

ance  in  the  fall  to  the  greatest  advantage — if  it 
were  supposed  that  to  do  this  they  relied  only  on 
their  own  Study  and  ingenuity  I  should  consider  it 
my  interest  and  duty  to  exert  my  own  powers  to 
be  on  a  level  with  them.  But  as  it  is  known  that 
they  depend  for  the  most  part  on  the  assistance  of 
their  friends  of  greater  experience  and  abilities  for 
their  commencement  orations  there  is  but  little 
encouragement  left  for  one  alone  to  strive  and  after 
wards  experience  the  mortification  of  feeling  his 
own  inferiority.  We  are  now  within  a  little  better 
than  two  months  of  the  usual  time  of  commence 
ment.  It  seems  probable  that  there  will  be  present 
to  our  exhibition  a  large  assembly,  and  perhaps  to 
a  young  person  just  entering  on  the  world,  his 
appearance  at  such  a  time  may  be  of  consequence. 
These  are  the  reasons  that  have  induced  me  to 
write  to  you  in  such  a  manner  and  on  such  a  sub 
ject.  I  hope  at  least  that  they  may  serve  as  an 
apology  for  my  freedom. 

If  Sir  you  could  do  me  the  favor  I  ask  con 
sistently  with  your  other  employments  it  will  be 
doing  me  a  kindness  which  will  lay  me  under  obli 
gations.  But  if  it  should  interfere  the  least  with 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

your  convenience  I  dare  urge  my  request  no  longer. 
I  only  pray  your  information  that  I  may  know  on 
what  to  depend,  or  that  I  may  if  possible  make 
application  some  where  else. 

As  to  the  subject  of  it  is  a  matter  of  indifference 
to  me,  your  judgment  will  determine  it.  We  are 
required  to  bring  in  our  pieces  on  the  yth  of 
August  for  the  inspection  of  the  faculty.  At  that 
time  comes  on  our  last  examination,  after  this  we 
shall  be  at  liberty  to  return  home  and  spend  our 
six  weeks  between  examination  and  commence 
ment.  The  design  of  the  faculty  in  insisting  on 
our  pieces  so  long  before  they  will  be  spoke  is  to 
prevent  disappointments  and  blunderings.  But  if 
you  sir  should  find  it  inconvenient  to  help  me  I 
pray  you  do  not  hurry  yourself  on  that  account. 
Perhaps  I  may  obtain  the  privilege  of  a  longer 
time  to  prepare  in.  If  so  if  I  should  receive  one 
time  enough  to  commit  it  well  to  memory  and 
exercise  myself  well  in  it,  it  will  do. 

I  know  not  what  to  offer  in  defence  of  this  liberty. 
You  Sir  will  judge  whether  the  occasion  together 
with  the  declaration  that  I  do  not  know  to  whom 
I  could  apply  with  equal  propriety  are  sufficient  to 

158 


AND   LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

excuse  me  and  at  least  to  acquit  the  honest  inten 
tions  of  your 

Most  obedient  &  Humble  Servant 

EDWARD  GRAHAM.1 

1  Edward  Graham  was  graduated  from  Princeton  in  1786. 
He  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  after  leaving  college 
embraced  the  law  as  a  profession.  It  is  not  known  whether 
William  Paterson  answered  his  letter,  but  presumably  so,  as  he 
never  lost  his  interest  in  his  dearly  loved  alma  mater. 


'59 


P  A  R  r     VII 


LETTERS 

Concerning  the  College  Frolics 


OF     THE     LAST 


PATROON   OF  RENSSELAERSWYCK 
and     Others 


A  LETTER  FROM  WILLIAM  PATERSON, 
THE  GRANDFATHER  OF  STEPHEN  VAN 
RENSSELAER,  TO  HENRY  KOLLOCK,  A 
TUTOR  AT  THE  COLLEGE  OF  NEW  JERSEY 

STJ  NEW  BRUNSWICK  8th  Dec.  1804. 

Mr  Van  Rensselaer  requests,  that  you 
would  be  so  good  as  to  inform  him, 
through  me,  of  the  character  of  Mr  Elliot, 
Stephen's  chum ;  and  if  he  is  not  very  steady  and 
serious,  begs  that  you  would  endeavor  to  get  him 
in  with  some  other  young  gentleman,  that  is  so. 
Stephen  was  suffered  to  remain  too  long  at  New 
York,  and  has  been  much  indulged.  His  father  is 
very  anxious  about  him,  and  particularly,  that  he 
should  be  connected  with  a  studious,  regular  and 
moral  room-mate,  whose  manners  and  exemplary 
conduct  will  prove  beneficial  to  him,  and  facilitate 
his  progress  in  literature.  Excuse  this  trouble ;  and 

believe 

me  to  be 

Your's  Sincerely 

WM  PATERSON 
163 


A  LETTER  FROM  DR.  SAMUEL  SMITH, 
THE  COLLEGE  PRESIDENT,  TO  WILLIAM 
PATERSON 

PRINCETON  Deer  zyth,  1804 

DEAR  SIR, 
I  did  not  approve  the  change  which 
young  Van  Rensalaer  [sic]  made  of 
his  room-mates,  &  before  he  made 
it,  I  sent  for  him  &  told  him  it  must  not  be  done 
&  thought  he  had  desisted  from  it  until  more  than 
a  fortnight  afterwards.  With  regard  to  this  young 
gentleman,  I  must  give  my  candid  opinion,  that  he 
is  as  yet,  too  young,  &  too  volatile  &  perhaps  a 
little  too  self-willed,  to  enjoy  so  much  independence 
as  he  must  necessarily  feel  in  a  college  where, 
especially  at  this  age  of  American  liberty,  the 
youngest  feels  himself  on  a  perfect  equality  with 
the  oldest.  Perhaps,  if  he  were  in  Brunswick  or 
at  Basking-Ridge,  under  a  closer  &  more  immediate 
inspection,  at  least  where  he  would  have  fewer 
companions  &  temptations,  for  one  year  more  it 
might  have  a  useful  effect  upon  him. 

164 


;LIFE  AT  PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

I  most  sincerely  wish  that,  on  some  plan  or 
other,  a  new  building  could  be  added  to  the  Col 
lege  &  occupied  entirely  in  lodging  rooms.  The 
students  at  present  are,  by  far  too  much  crowded 
for  their  comfort,  &  indeed,  for  the  greatest  advan 
tage  of  study  &  order. 

One  of  our  suspended  boys  of  the  name  of 
Hart  from  Kentucky,  has  been  lately  making  a 
Christmas  frolic  among  us.  The  Trustees  at  their 
meeting  last  Spring  gave  direction  to  re-admit  him 
into  College  on  certain  conditions.  Some  time  in 
the  Summer  he  returned  to  Princeton  under  the 
pretence  of  studying — but  it  was  only  pretence. 
He  remained  in  the  town  ;  but  haunted  the  College 
particularly  at  nights ;  &  for  two  or  three  months 
past  has  been  endeavoring  to  mislead  some  of  the 
more  thoughtless  &  idle  boys.  It  was  long  before 
his  influence  was  perceptible  in  any  great  degree. 
But,  within  a  little  time  past,  we  began  to  perceive 
symptoms,  of  disorder  among  a  few ;  till,  on 
Christmas  eve,  always  an  unlucky  time,  he  induced 
a  number  to  join  him  in  disturbing  the  College 
with  a  great  noise — he  fired  a  pistol  three  times  in 
the  entry,  &  at  length  blew  up  the  brick  necessary 

165 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

behind  it,  with  gunpowder  somehow  placed  under 
it,  or  inserted  into  the  walls.  A  warrant  was  issued 
to  apprehend  him  the  next  day ;  but  he  made  his 
escape  into  Pennsylvania.  We  have  not  been 
able  to  discover  but  one  or  two  of  his  accomplices. 
The  institution,  before  this  affair,  has  been  remark 
ably  quiet  and  orderly.  But  such  are  the  evils  to 
which,  for  want  of  power,  we  are  exposed  from  the 
residence  near  us  of  ill  disposed  boys  who  have 
suffered  the  censures  of  the  College ;  &  who  can 
find  a  thousand  means  secretly  to  mingle  with  the 
worst  of  the  students,  &  to  seduce  the  inconsistent. 

This,  with  our  impotence  to  control  hucksters 

&  taverns  are  among  the  greatest  evils  of  which 
we  have  to  complain. 

With  the  highest  esteem,  I  am 
Dr  Sir, 

Yr  mo  obdt  &  hble  Sevt. 

SAML.  SMITH 


1 66 


A    SECOND     LETTER     FROM     WILLIAM 
PATERSON  TO  HENRY  KOLLOCK 

NEW  BRUNSWICK 

DEAR  SIR,  3I  Decem-  I8°4 

I  availed  myself  of  the  hint  in 
your  letter  of  the  2yth  of  this  month 
by  writing  to  young  V.  R.  this  day 
a  long  letter  in  the  manner  you  suggested,  which, 
I  hope,  will  not  be  without  effect.  I  have  com 
municated  to  his  father  the  Sentiments  contained 
in  your  letter  and  that  of  Doctr  Smith ;  and  ad 
vised  him  to  caution  Stephen  against  his  ruling 
faults  and  passions,  and  to  urge  him  to  diligence  in 
his  studies,  and  emulation  to  excel  in  morals  and 
in  science.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  keep  a 
watchful  eye  over  him,  and  to  inform  me,  from 
time  to  time,  of  his  general  deportment,  and  his 
progress  in  learning.  A  year  or  two  to  come  will 
probably  give  a  cast  to  the  whole  course  of  his 
life.  I  am,  with  great  esteem, 

Yr  ob.dt.  Sevt. 

W  P. 

167 


A  LETTER  FROM  THE  FATHER  OF  STEPHEN 

VAN     RENSSELAER1    TO     HIS     FATHER-IN- 
LAW,  WILLIAM   PATERSON 

Jany  7,  1805 

DEAR   SIR 
You    can    scarcely    imagine    my 
distress    at    reading    the   extracts   of 
the  letter  you  had  the  goodness  to 
enclose  to  my  Cornelia.     I  have  been  under  con 
stant  apprehension  since  I  left  Stephen  at  Princeton 

1  The  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  referred  to  in  these  letters 
became  the  last  patroon  of  feudal  land  of  Central  New  York. 
His  family  was  one  of  the  oldest  in  America,  and  in  their  style 
of  living  reflected  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  English  nobil 
ity.  Before  his  advent  at  the  College  of  New  Jersey,  young 
Van  Rensselaer  had  taken  part  in  the  gay  life  of  New  York  City 
at  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth  century.  Strikingly  hand 
some  and  of  a  merry  temperament,  he  was  a  favorite  in  the 
exclusive  circles  of  "  North  River  Society'*  when  in  his  early 
teens.  A  little  over  a  quarter  of  a  century  before  his  arrival  at 
New  Jersey's  foremost  seat  of  learning,  his  father  had  journeyed 
to  the  college  as  a  student,  protected  from  Tories  and  Indians 

168 


LIFE  AT   PRINCETON,  1766-1773 

having  till  that  period  been  under  the  eye  and 
controul  of  a  Master,  lest  his  conduct  on  the  new 
scene  of  a  college  life  should  not  redound  to  his 
credit.  I  wish  to  make  another  experiment  before 
I  remove  him  for  which  purpose  I  must  beg  of 
you  request  Mr.  Kollock  to  take  him  under  his 
care  or  if  possible  to  board  with  him.  I  will  with 
pleasure  allow  him  one  hundred  pounds  pr  year. 
I  console  myself  with  the  hope  that  with  Mr  Kol- 
lock's  aid  he  may  Still  be  made  a  useful  member 
of  society,  permit  me  to  trouble  when  at  Balti 
more  to  enquire  if  I  could  (if  necessary  to  remove 
my  boy)  obtain  a  situation  in  the  French  school 
at  that  place.  Cornelia  unites  with  me  in  con 
gratulations  on  the  return  of  a  new  year  to  you 
Mrs  P  &  and  all  friends. 

I  am  Yours  affly 

S.  RENSSELAER. 

by  a  military  guard.  In  striking  contrast  was  the  arrival  of  the 
son,  who  came  in  a  chaise,  with  his  black  valet  and,  tradition 
says,  with  a  wardrobe  which  was  the  envy  of  every  man  at 
college. 


169 


PART    VIII 


SONGS 

SUNG     AT 

THE  COLLEGE  OF  NEW  JERSEY 

IN     THE 

i8th  Century 

FROM 

A  PATERSON  MANUSCRIPT 


CUPID  TRIUMPHANT 


N 


OW'S  the  time  for  mirth  and  glee, 
Sing  and  love  and  laugh  with  me, 
Cupid  is  my  theme  of  story ; 
'Tis  his  godship's  fame  and  glory 

How  all  yield  unto  his  law  ! 

Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha! 


O'er  the  grave  and  o'er  the  gay 
Cupid  takes  his  share  of  play ; 
He  makes  heroes  quit  their  glory ; 
He's  the  god  most  fam'd  in  story ; 
Bending  them  unto  his  lay 
Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  etc. 

Sly  the  urchin  deals  his  darts, 
Without  pity — piercing  hearts : 
Cupid  triumphs  over  passions, 
Not  regarding  modes,  or  fashions, 
Firmly  fix'd  is  Cupid's  law 
Ha  !  Ha  !  Ha  !  etc. 
173 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Some  may  think  these  lines  not  true, 
But  they're  fact — twixt  me  and  you  ; 
Then  ye  maids  and  men  be  wary ; 
How  you  meet  before  you  marry 
Cupid's  will  is  solely  law. 
Ha  !  Ha  !  Ha  !  etc. 


'74 


PAUVRE  MADELON 


C 


OULD  you  to  battle  march  away, 

And  leave  me  here  complaining, 
I'm  sure  t 'would  break  my  heart  to 

stay, 

When  you  were  gone  campaigning, 
Ah  non,  non,  non,  pauvre  Madelon 

Would  never  quit  her  Rover, 
Ah  non,  non,  non,  pauvre  Madelon, 
Would  go  with  you  all  the  world  over 

Cheer,  cheer,  you  shall  not  grieve, 

A  soldier  true  you'll  find  me, 
I  could  not  have  the  heart  to  leave 

My  little  girl  behind  me. 
Ah  non,  non,  non,  etc. 

And  could  you  to  the  battle  go, 

To  women's  fears  a  stranger 
No  fears  my  breast  will  ever  know, 

But  where  my  love's  in  danger. 
Ah  non,  non,  non,  etc. 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

Then  let  the  world  jog  as  it  will 
Let  hollow  friends  forsake  us, 

We  both  shall  be  as  happy  still, 
As  love  and  war  can  make  us. 

Ah  non,  non,  non,  etc. 


176 


T 


JERSEY  BLUE 

O  arms  once  more,  our  Heroines 
Sedition  lives,  and  order  dies, 
To  peace  and  ease  then  bid  adieu, 
And  dash  to  the  mountains  Jersey 
Blue. 

CHORUS 


Jersey  Blue.     Jersey  Blue. 

And  dash  to  the  mountains  Jersey  Blue  ! 

Since  proud  ambition  rears  her  head, 
And  murderous  rage  and  discord  spread, 
To  save  from  spoil  the  virtuous  few, 
Dash  to  the  mountains  Jersey  Blue. 

Rous'd  at  the  call,  with  magic  sound, 
The  drums  and  Trumpets  circle  round 
As  soon  the  corps  their  rout  pursues, 
So  dash  to  the  mountains  Jersey  Blues. 

12  177 


P 


LULLABY 

EACEFUL  slumbring  on  the  ocean, 

Sailors  fear  no  dangers  nigh, 
The  winds  and  waves  in  gentle  motion 
Soothes  them  with  its  lullaby 
Lullaby,  lullaby,  lullaby,  lullaby, 
Soothes  them  with  its  lullaby. 


Is  the  wind  tempestuous  blowing  ? 
Still  no  danger  they  descry — 

The  guileless  heart  its  boon  bestowing 
Soothes  them  with  its  lullaby 
Soothes  them  with  its  lullaby. 


178 


ROGER 

NOW  Roger  I'll  tell  thee,  since  thou 
art  my  son, 
A     Council    I'll    give    thee    for 
life- 
Put  on  thy  best  clothes,  and  thy  fine  yellow  hose 
And  I'll  warrant  thee'l  get  thee  a  wife,  thee  will. 

CHORUS 

Yes  thee  will,  so  thee  will 
And  I  warrant  thee'l  get  thee  a  wife,  thee 
will. 

Now  as  he  was  mounting  and  taking  his  leave 

To  leave  his  dear  mother  behind, 
It  grieved  his  heart  to  think  he  should  part, 
And  leave  his  dear  mother  behind,  it  did. 
Yes  it  did,  etc. 
179 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL   SOCIETY 

The  first  that  young  Roger  attempted  to  view 
Was  the  parson's  fair  daughter  named  Grace 

He'd  scarcely  spoke  but  a  word,  or  two 
And  she  hit  him  a  slap  in  the  face,  she  did. 
Yes  she  did,  etc. 

If  this  be  the  way  of  getting  a  wife, 
Says  Roger  I'll  ne'er  seek  another, 

I'd  rather  live  single  all  the  days  of  my  life, 
And  so  I'll  go  home  to  my  mother,  I  will. 
Yes  I  will,  etc. 


1 80 


T 


SONG 

HEY  call  me  honest  Harry  O ; 
Molly  I  will  marry  O ; 
In  spite  of  Nell 
Or  Isabelle, 
I'll  follow  my  own  vagary  O ; 
With  my  rigdum,  jigdum  any  O ; 
I  love  little  Molly  O ; 
In  spite  of  Nell 
Or  Isabelle 
I'll  follow  my  own  vagary  O. 

Straight  she  is,  and  bonny  O ; 
Sweet  she  as  sugar  candy  O, 

Fresh  and  gay 

As  flowers  in  May, 
And  I'm  her  Jack  a  dandy  O ; 
With  my  rigdum,  jigdum,  etc. 
181 


GLIMPSES  OF  COLONIAL  SOCIETY 

Soon  to  church  I'll  bring  her  O ; 
Where  we'll  wed  together  O, 

And  that  done 

Then  we'll  have  fun 
In  spite  of  wind  or  weather  O ; 
With  my  rigdum,  jigdum,  etc. 


182 


WHAT  THE   PRESS   SAYS   ABOUT 

HISTORIC    HOUSES   OF 
NEW  JERSEY 

BY     W.     JAY      MILLS 

"  An  important  contribution  to  the  history  of  New  Jersey." 

THE  BOOKMAN 

<(  A  brilliant  story  of  New  Jersey  social  life." 

TOWN  AND  COUNTRY 

"  It  is  broad  enough  and  so  comprehensive  that  the  student 
of  history  will  consider  himself  hardly  worthy  of  the  name 
without  a  perusal." 

THE  ELIZABETH  RECORD 

"  Mr.  Mills  has  made  good  use  of  his  material." 

THE  NEW  YORK  TRIBUNE 

"A  work  whose  subjects  have  exactly  the  interest  ascribed 
to  them  in  the  title." 

THE  MAIL  AND  EXPRESS 

"  In  reconstructing  the  past  for  twentieth  century  readers, 
Mr.  Mills' s  strokes  are  those  of  the  sympathetic  and  well  in 
formed  artist,  with  a  fine  eye  for  color  and  a  lively  appreciation 
of  the  bright  and  cheerful." 

NEWARK  EVENING  NEWS 

"Efforts  such  as  Mr.  Mills' s  will  give  New  Jersey  a  litera 
ture  which  cannot  be  questioned  by  even  New  England." 

THE  SUNDAY  CALL 

8vo.      Decorated    Cover,    $^.OO,    Net 
Postage  20  cents  extra 

J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS  PHILADELPHIA 


